TEMPERATURE DISTRIBUTION IN

ATMOSPHERE

RINO MARIYAM
} Isotherms & it’s characteristics
} Temperature distribution over the
world
} Normal lapse rate
} Temperature inversion
} Albedo
ISOTHERMS
} Imaginary lines joining places having equal
temperature.
} Isotherms are generally parallel to the
latitudes.
 GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF
ISOTHERMS

1. Generally follow the parallels

2. Sudden bends at ocean – continent
boundaries
3. Narrow spacing between isotherms
indicate rapid change in temperature
4. Wide spacing between isotherms
indicate small or slow change in
temperatures
 GENERAL TEMPERATURE
DISTRIBUTION
} The highest temperatures occur over
sub-tropics due to high insolation.
} The lowest temperatures occur in
polar regions.
} Highest & lowest temperature in
interiors of continent
} Moderate in Oceans
 DIURNAL AND ANNUAL RANGE OF
TEMPERATURES
Diurnal range
} Highest in Desert
Annual range
} Highest in Temperate region
} Lowest in equator

} Northern hemisphere is warmer

because of more land area.
 SEASONAL DISTRIBUTION OF
TEMPERATURE
} Considering temperature during
January & July.
} The deviation from this general trend
is more pronounced in January than
in July.
} It is more prominent in northern
hemisphere. Because northern
hemisphere has more land area than
southern hemisphere
IN THE MONTH OF JANUARY
} Isotherms deviate to the north over
the ocean
} Isotherms deviate to the south over
the continent
} The effect of ocean is well pronounced
in the southern hemisphere, here the
isotherms are more or less parallel to
the latitudes
} IN THE MONTH OF JULY
} Isotherms generally run parallel to
the latitudes
 NORMAL LAPSE RATE
} Temperature decreases with increase
in elevation it is called normal lapse
rate
} Normal lapse rate is 6.5 degree
Celsius in 1000 meters
} When temperature increases with
elevation it is called inversion of
temperature
} For short duration
} Polar areas temperature inversion is
normal throughout the year
} Inversion in hills and mountain due to
air drainage common in early
mornings
} Temperature inversion provides
atmospheric stability

IDEAL SITUATION FOR TEMPERATURE

INVERSION
} A long winter night
} Clear sky
} Still air
1. Rotation of earth on its axis
2. Aphelion and Perihelion
3. Angle of inclination of sun rays.
4. Length of the day.
5. Transparency of atmosphere.
6. Configuration of land.
ALBEDO
Is a measure of how much light that
hits a surface is reflected with out
being absorbed.
HEIGHEST TO LOWEST

1. Snow
2. Ocean ice
3. Concrete
4. Desert
5. Savanna
6. Forest
} Which of the following conditions are ideal for
temperature inversion
1. Long winter night

2. Cloudy sky

3. Still air

Choose the correct answer

a) 1 & 2 only

b) 2 & 3 only

c) 1 & 3only

d) All of the above

} Consider the following statements regarding
isotherms
1. Isotherms are generally parallel to longitudes
2. It shows sudden bend at ocean – continental
boundaries
3. Narrow spacing between isotherms indicate
slow change in temperature
} Choose the correct answer
a) 1 & 2 only

b) 2 & 3 only
c) 1 & 3 only
d) All of the above
} Which of the following have high albedo
rate
a) Desert

b) Forest
c) Ocean
d) Snow
THANK YOU