Final answer:
Latitudes near the equator have high rainfall due to the intertropical convergence zone causing adiabatic cooling, the divergence of Hadley cells leading to precipitation, and environmental factors such as proximity to oceans, high evaporation rates, and mountain ranges.
Step-by-step explanation:
Latitudes near the equator are characterized by a high amount of rainfall due to several factors. One of the primary reasons is the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ), where moisture-laden air masses converge. This area experiences adiabatic cooling as warm air, heated by the intense sunlight at the equator, rises and then cools, which reduces its capacity to hold water vapor, leading to frequent and intense rainstorms.
Additionally, the divergence of Hadley cells plays a role in equatorial precipitation. These cells circulate air between the equator and about 30° N and S latitudes. Near the equator, the rising branch of these cells leads to adiabatic cooling, condensation, and precipitation. The Hadley cell's descending branch around 30° N and S latitudes causes adiabatic heating, creating drier conditions and desert climates.
These climatic conditions are also influenced by other factors such as proximity to large bodies of water and evaporation rates influenced by temperature. Warm temperatures favor evaporation; as a result, the hot and sunny equator has extensive evaporation, contributing to higher humidity and precipitation levels. Additionally, the physical geography, like mountain ranges, can cause orographic precipitation: moist air ascends mountains, cools, condenses, and precipitates on the windward side, leading to high rainfall in such areas.
SUMUP all the final answer as points at least:
- High rainfall near the equator is caused by the convergence of air masses in the intertropical convergence zone resulting in adiabatic cooling and precipitation.
- The Hadley cell circulation pattern contributes to rainfall at the equator by ascending, cooling, and leading to condensation and precipitation, while the descending air around 30° latitudes promotes drying conditions.
- Environmental factors such as proximity to oceans, high evaporation rates, and physical geography like mountain ranges also influence rainfall patterns near the equator.