The annual range of temperature in the interior of the continents is h

The annual range of temperature in the interior of the continents is high as compared to coastal areas. What is/are the reason/reasons?

Thermal difference between land and water
Variation in altitude between continents and oceans
Presence of strong winds in the interior
Heavy rains in the interior as compared to coasts

Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

1 only

1 and 2 only

2 and 3 only

1, 2, 3 and 4

Answer is Right!

Answer is Wrong!

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2013

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The primary reason for the high annual range of temperature in the interior of continents compared to coastal areas is the thermal difference between land and water. Land heats up and cools down much faster than water. Coastal areas benefit from the moderating influence of the ocean, which absorbs and releases heat slowly, reducing temperature extremes throughout the year. Interior regions, lacking this moderating effect, experience greater variations between summer highs and winter lows.

Specific heat capacity and heat transfer mechanisms cause land to heat and cool more rapidly than water. This differential heating/cooling leads to continental climates having larger temperature ranges (diurnal and annual) than maritime climates.

Statement 2 is generally not true as a universal reason for the difference in range; altitude affects absolute temperature, not primarily the range between interiors and coasts in a general sense. Statements 3 and 4 describe potential local weather phenomena but are not the fundamental climatic reason for the large annual temperature range in continental interiors compared to coasts. Interior areas often experience low humidity and less cloud cover, which further contributes to faster heating and cooling.

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