(3.3) For what reasons is the meridional temperature gradient in the midlatitudes strong, with annual average temperatures dropping from about 24°C to -2°C between 30°N and 60° latitude on either side of the equator? Select one: O a. Reduced evaporation rates at higher latitudes result in lower water vapour in the atmosphere, supporting greater temperature extremes and this effect becomes stronger toward the poles where it is coldest. O b. Coriolis force turning of the airflow diverging away from the intertropical convergence zone keeps much of the warm air trapped between 30°N and 30°S latitude, and also the tropical atmosphere is well-mixed due to the strength of the Hadley circulation. O c. The polar jet stream causes the sharp temperature gradient in the midlatitudes. O d. Due to the cosine rule, the solar flux is increasingly diminished between 30° and 60° north and south latitude, resulting in cooler temperatures poleward.

(3.3) For what reasons is the meridional temperature gradient in the midlatitudes strong, with annual average temperatures dropping from about 24°C to -2°C between 30°N and 60° latitude on either side of the equator? Select one: O a. Reduced evaporation rates at higher latitudes result in lower water vapour in the atmosphere, supporting greater temperature extremes and this effect becomes stronger toward the poles where it is coldest. O b. Coriolis force turning of the airflow diverging away from the intertropical convergence zone keeps much of the warm air trapped between 30°N and 30°S latitude, and also the tropical atmosphere is well-mixed due to the strength of the Hadley circulation. O c. The polar jet stream causes the sharp temperature gradient in the midlatitudes. O d. Due to the cosine rule, the solar flux is increasingly diminished between 30° and 60° north and south latitude, resulting in cooler temperatures poleward.