Question

Why deserts have higher range of temperature than the coastal areas?

Answer 1

Deserts have a higher range of temperature than coastal areas due to the following reasons:

1. Land heats up and cools down much faster than water because land has a lower specific heat capacity compared to water. Therefore, deserts, being inland and lacking water bodies, experience very hot days and very cold nights, causing a large temperature range.
2. Coastal areas are influenced by the sea, which heats and cools slowly. The sea’s moderating effect through sea and land breezes keeps coastal temperatures more stable and moderate, leading to a lower temperature range.
3. Deserts lack vegetation and moisture, which otherwise help in retaining heat; their absence causes greater extremes between day and night temperatures.