Final answer:
The ocean's ability to absorb and transport heat results in a milder climate for coastal areas near the equator like town X, with less daily and seasonal temperature variation. Town X will likely have more tropical storms compared to inland areas, but not lower temperatures or snow.
Step-by-step explanation:
The ocean has a significant influence on the climate of coastal regions near the equator, such as town X. The ocean collects and stores vast amounts of solar energy and transports that heat with currents, which can result in a milder maritime climate with smaller temperature variations both daily and seasonally. This is due to the fact that water heats and cools more slowly than land, also known as heat inertia. Therefore, coastal communities tend to have climates that are more moderate compared to inland areas.
Town X will likely experience more tropical storms than inland towns due to its coastal location near the equator. These storms may be stronger and carry more precipitation because of the warmer sea surface temperatures. However, town X is unlikely to experience extreme weather fluctuations in terms of temperature because the presence of the ocean helps moderate climate extremes.
It is false that town X would have lower average annual temperatures than inland towns farther from the equator or experience large amounts of snow due to increased condensation over the ocean. Coastal areas near the equator typically have warmer temperatures year-round and would not typically receive snow.