UPSC CSE 2025 · PYQ · Climatology / Temperature Distribution · medium
Consider the following statements:
Statement I: In January, in the Northern Hemisphere, the isotherms bend equatorward while crossing the landmasses, and poleward while crossing the oceans.
Statement II: In January, the air over the oceans is warmer than that over the landmasses in the Northern Hemisphere.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
A.Both Statement I and Statement II are correct and Statement II explains Statement I✓ Correct
B.Both Statement I and Statement II are correct but Statement II does not explain Statement I
C.Statement I is correct but Statement II is not correct
D.Statement I is not correct but Statement II is correct
Explanation
In January (Northern Hemisphere winter), landmasses cool more rapidly than oceans due to lower specific heat of land. Therefore the air over oceans remains warmer than over land. As isotherms connect points of equal temperature, they bend equatorward when crossing the cold landmasses (to maintain the same temperature) and poleward over the warmer oceans. Statement II correctly explains the bending described in Statement I — both are correct and causally linked.
💡 Practice unlimited UPSC CSE PYQs + AI-tracked progress on each topic. Sign up free →
More Climatology / Temperature Distribution questions