Question

Which of the following is true of the daily surface energy balances for El Mirage (desert location at) and Pitt Meadows (Pacific coast location at 49° N)?

a) El Mirage has a higher net radiation surplus.
b) Pitt Meadows has a higher net radiation surplus.
c) Both locations have similar net radiation surpluses.
d) Net radiation surpluses are not influenced by geographical location.

Answer 1

El Mirage, the desert location, has a higher net radiation surplus compared to Pitt Meadows, the Pacific coast location at 49° N.

Step-by-step explanation:

Based on the information provided, it can be inferred that El Mirage, the desert location, has a higher net radiation surplus compared to Pitt Meadows, the Pacific coast location at 49° N. The figure showing the variation of insolation across the U.S. indicates that the southwest desert receives the highest solar potential due to weather and clouds. Additionally, the information states that the variation in the best and worst locations is not even a factor of two.