The thermal amplitude is the difference between maximum and minimum temperature from some place and in a certain period of time. When this difference is large, we say that the thermal amplitude is high.
On the other hand, if the difference between the minimum and the maximum is small, we say that the thermal amplitude is low. Remember that it varies a lot from region to region and even from city to city.
How to Calculate the Thermal Amplitude?
The thermal amplitude is calculated over a given period of time. That is, it can be calculated over a period of one year (annual thermal range), a month (monthly thermal range), or even over a day (daily thermal range).
The annual thermal range is calculated by the difference between the average temperature of the warmest month and the average temperature of the coldest month.
Likewise, the monthly thermal amplitude is calculated by the difference between the average of the hottest day and the average temperature of the coldest day.
Therefore, to calculate the thermal amplitude, just calculate the difference between the maximum and the minimum temperature, for example:
If during a day the maximum temperature is 30 °C and the minimum is 10 °C, the difference between the temperatures is 20 °C. In this case, we say that the daily thermal range is high.
AT = 30 °C - 10 °C = 20 °C
However, if the maximum temperature is 30 °C and the minimum is 25 °C, the difference between them is only 5 °C. Therefore, the thermal range is low.
AT = 30 °C - 25 °C = 5 °C
In Brazil, the northern and northeastern states generally have a low thermal amplitude. This is because the tropical and equatorial climates that operate in the region are characterized by high temperatures throughout the year.
On the other hand, the states of the Southeast, South and Midwest in some seasons of the year have a high thermal amplitude, especially in winter.
Learn more about Brazil climates.
The daily temperature range in deserts, for example, is too high. That is, during the day it can reach high temperatures, close to 45 °C, and at night the temperature drops drastically, and in some places it can reach close to 0 °C.
This happens due to the type of relief and vegetation of the place. In addition to the climate and air masses that operate in the region. In the desert, for example, vegetation is sparse and low, which means that the air masses do not have a natural “barrier” that prevents them.
Also read about air humidity.
Factors Influencing Thermal Range
Many factors influence the thermal amplitude, namely:
- Types of Climate
- Vegetation Types
- Relief
- Maritimeity and Continentality
- air masses
- Atmospheric pressure
- Ocean currents
