TEST OF PRACTICAL KNOWLEDGE QUESTION (a) List five factors that affect climate. (b) Highlight five characteristics of Equatorial climate.

Answer Details

(a) Five factors that affect climate

1. Latitude (distance from the equator): places near the equator receive more direct, intense insolation and are hotter than places near the poles.
2. Altitude (height above sea level): temperature falls with height (about \(6.5^{\circ}\text{C}\) per \(1000\text{ m}\)), so highlands are cooler than lowlands.
3. Distance from the sea (continentality): coastal areas have a small temperature range while interiors have hot summers and cold winters.
4. Ocean currents: warm currents raise the temperature and rainfall of adjacent coasts, while cold currents lower them.
5. Prevailing winds and relief (aspect): onshore moist winds bring rain, offshore dry winds do not, and windward slopes are wetter than leeward slopes.

(Vegetation cover and cloud cover are also acceptable.)

(b) Five characteristics of the Equatorial climate

1. High temperatures all year: mean monthly temperature is about \(27^{\circ}\text{C}\), with a very small annual range (about \(2^{\circ}\text{C}\)).
2. Heavy rainfall throughout the year: totals exceed \(2000\text{ mm}\), with no true dry season (double maxima near the equinoxes).
3. High relative humidity: often above 80 per cent, giving a hot, damp, uncomfortable feel.
4. Convectional rainfall: intense afternoon thunderstorms occur almost daily due to strong heating and rising moist air.
5. Small diurnal and seasonal contrast with heavy cloud cover: days are consistently hot, humid and cloudy with little seasonal variation.