Where is the least diurnal temperature variation found?

Study for the ATPL Canadian Meteorology, Radio Aids to Navigation, and Flight Planning (SAMRA) exam. Use multiple-choice questions with explanations. Prepare effectively for your upcoming test!

The least diurnal temperature variation is typically found in temperate oceans. This phenomenon occurs primarily due to the high specific heat capacity of water compared to land, which allows oceans to absorb and store significant amounts of heat without experiencing dramatic changes in temperature. As a result, areas influenced by large bodies of water tend to have more stable temperatures throughout the day and night, leading to a smaller range between the maximum and minimum temperatures.

In contrast, deserts experience extreme diurnal temperature variations because of the lack of moisture in the air, which leads to rapid cooling at night and significant warming during the day. Tropical rainforests, while having a relatively stable temperature due to high humidity, still experience more variation compared to temperate oceans because they are affected by solar radiation and local geography. Mountainous regions can also exhibit significant diurnal variation, particularly due to elevation changes and weather patterns that affect temperature shifts, further highlighting the unique stability provided by large ocean bodies.

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