How did Earth record a massive temperature difference of more than 123 degrees in one day?

Arab Weather - Weather stations around the world have observed sharp temperature variations over the past 24 hours, reflecting the vast climate differences between different regions of the planet.

In the far south of the globe, specifically at the Vostok station in the heart of Antarctica, temperatures dropped to -74.2 degrees Celsius, making it the coldest place on Earth yesterday.

In contrast, the city of Omidiyeh, located in southwestern Iran, recorded a high temperature of 49.8 degrees Celsius, topping the list of the hottest places in the world.

This significant variation, which exceeded 123 degrees Celsius, reflects the diversity of climatic conditions across the Earth's various regions, and can be explained by several key scientific factors:

What are the scientific reasons for this huge temperature difference?

• Angle of incidence of sunlight:

In the southern winter, the angle of incidence of sunlight on Antarctica is very low, meaning that solar radiation is almost non-existent. In contrast, the sun's rays fall almost vertically in Iran during the summer, which doubles the incident solar radiation and leads to significant surface heating.

• Height above sea level:

Vostok station is located at an altitude of over 3,400 meters above sea level. As altitude increases, temperatures decrease due to lower atmospheric pressure and air density. Umidia, on the other hand, is located at a relatively low altitude, which contributes to heat accumulation at the surface.

• Surface reflectivity (Albedo):

The white snow covers the Antarctic continent, reflecting a significant proportion of the sun's radiation (high albedo), reducing heat gain. In contrast, the dry, dark soils of Iran absorb solar radiation very efficiently, raising the surface temperature.

• Weather systems and air masses:

The South Pole is surrounded by a system of polar currents that insulate warm air, keeping it extremely cold. Iran, on the other hand, is under the influence of subtropical heat waves accompanied by hot air masses originating from the Arabian Peninsula and India.