The temperature controls to two locations on Earth. Discuss how the 5 factors influencing temperature patterns effect St. Louis, Missouri (38°39' N, 90°W; elevation 535 ft) and Singapore (1°24'N, 103°55'E; elevation 16ft).

How does the latitude affect the temperature?
Is the altitude different between these two locations and what is the effect on the temperature?
Is one location affected more by land-water contrasts, wind patterns or ocean currents?

The 5 factors that influence temperature patterns are latitude, altitude, land-water contrasts, wind patterns, and ocean currents. Let's discuss how these factors affect St. Louis, Missouri and Singapore:

1. Latitude: St. Louis is located at 38°39'N, while Singapore is at 1°24'N. Generally, as you move away from the equator towards higher latitudes, temperatures tend to decrease. St. Louis, being closer to the higher latitudes, experiences colder temperatures compared to the tropical climate of Singapore.

2. Altitude: St. Louis has an elevation of 535 ft, while Singapore is at 16 ft. Altitude has a cooling effect on temperature. As you move to higher elevations, the air becomes thinner, leading to lower atmospheric pressure and temperatures. Therefore, St. Louis may experience slightly cooler temperatures compared to Singapore due to its higher elevation.

3. Land-Water Contrasts: St. Louis is located inland, further away from large bodies of water, whereas Singapore is a coastal city. Land heats up and cools down more quickly than water. As a result, coastal areas tend to experience less extreme temperature fluctuations than inland areas. Singapore benefits from the moderating effect of the nearby ocean, resulting in more stable and milder temperatures compared to St. Louis.

4. Wind Patterns: Wind patterns can affect temperature by bringing in air from different regions. St. Louis is situated in the interior of the continent, which is influenced by continental air masses. These air masses can bring hot and dry summers and cold winters. On the other hand, Singapore is influenced by the maritime tropical air mass, resulting in warm and humid conditions year-round.

5. Ocean Currents: St. Louis is located far from major ocean currents, while Singapore is affected by the warm waters of the Malacca and Singapore Straits. Ocean currents can contribute to the modification of the air masses that impact coastal areas. The warm ocean currents near Singapore help maintain its warm and tropical climate.

In summary, latitude affects the temperature by determining the overall climate zone. Altitude can influence temperature by creating cooler conditions at higher elevations. St. Louis is more influenced by land-water contrasts and wind patterns, resulting in greater temperature variations compared to Singapore. Singapore, being a coastal city near warm ocean currents, experiences more stable and milder temperatures.

To analyze how the five factors influencing temperature patterns affect St. Louis, Missouri, and Singapore, we need to consider latitude, altitude, land-water contrasts, wind patterns, and ocean currents. Let's delve into each factor and its impact on these two locations:

1. Latitude: Latitude plays a significant role in temperature patterns. Generally, as we move closer to the poles, temperatures tend to decrease. St. Louis, located at 38°39'N, experiences a temperate climate with distinct seasonality. Singapore, situated at 1°24'N, lies close to the equator and has a tropical climate with consistently high temperatures throughout the year. The latitude difference explains why Singapore has a warmer climate compared to St. Louis.

2. Altitude: Altitude refers to the elevation above sea level. As altitude increases, temperature typically decreases due to the decrease in air pressure and thinner air. In this case, St. Louis, with an elevation of 535 ft, and Singapore, with an elevation of 16 ft, have a minimal difference in altitude. Therefore, altitude does not play a significant role in temperature variation between these two locations.

3. Land-Water Contrasts: Land-Water contrasts occur when there is a disparity between the heating and cooling rates of land and water. Generally, land heats and cools faster than water. St. Louis is located inland, away from large bodies of water. Consequently, it experiences greater temperature fluctuations due to the absence of a moderating influence from nearby water bodies. On the other hand, Singapore is an island city-state surrounded by water, which leads to a more stable and moderated climate.

4. Wind Patterns: Wind patterns can influence temperature by redistributing heat. St. Louis is situated in the central part of the United States, and its wind patterns are influenced by the prevailing winds from the North American continent. Singapore, being located in Southeast Asia, experiences winds influenced by the monsoon system. Both locations have different wind patterns, but their specific impacts on temperature patterns are not significant enough to create a substantial contrast between the two places.

5. Ocean Currents: Ocean currents can have a significant impact on temperature by transferring heat across different regions. St. Louis is not directly influenced by ocean currents since it is located inland. Singapore, being close to the equator, is affected by the warm waters of the surrounding oceans, such as the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea. This proximity to warm ocean currents contributes to Singapore's consistently warm temperatures.

In summary, the latitude of each location explains the main difference in temperature patterns between St. Louis and Singapore. While altitude has a minimal impact in this case, land-water contrasts and ocean currents affect Singapore more significantly due to its island location and proximity to warm waters.