Question

San Francisco and Wichita lie on the same latitude. San Francisco has a moderate climate, while Wichita has an extreme climate. What is the reason for this difference in climate? San Francisco lies in a rain shadow region. Their proximity to the ocean is different. Sunrays fall on the cities at different angles. Their proximity to the mountains is different.

Answer 1

Their proximity to the ocean is different is the correct answer.

Though the change in latitude plays an important role in the climate of one region to the other but it is not the sole determinant. We see the cities like San Francisco and Wichita lie on the same latitude but their climate is different. This is due to the close proximity of San Francisco to the Pacific Ocean and Wichita is far away from ocean.

Answer 2

San Francisco lies in a rain shadow region. Their proximity to the ocean is different. Sun rays fall on the cities at different angles. Their proximity to the mountains is different. San Fransisco is on the pacific coast. However, Wichita is in the middle of the North American continent. Being near the sea, fluctuations in the temperature are less, as compared to Wichita. The sea retains heat during winters, and thus temperature is maintained in the maritime areas like San Fransisco. But in a continental climate like the later, it's due to their distance from the water body and thus the major fluctuations in the temperature.