If Champaign, IL were to be relocated directly to the west so that it was now lo
ID: 299564 • Letter: I
Question
If Champaign, IL were to be relocated directly to the west so that it was now located along the west coast of the US right next to the Pacific Ocean, what would happen to Champaign's yearly temperature variations?
Select one:
a. Champaign's temperature variation would become less with warmer winters and cooler summers.
b. Champaign's temperature variation would become greater with colder winters and hotter summers.
c. Champaign's year temperature variation would remain unchanged.
d. Champaign's temperature variation would only change if it changed altitude so moving it west would not have a significant impact.
Explanation / Answer
Generally, the climate of the coastal locations in the Western USA is cooler than the inland locations. The air temperature over the West Coast is influenced by a cold ocean current that is known as the California Current. If Champaign's location were to be shifted next to the Pacific Ocean, the California Current would become the major climate controlling factor. Due to the seasonal variation in the movement of the cold current, the temperature over Champaign would decrease during summers and increase during winters after its relocation. So, option b. is incorrect as the summers can't be hotter in the presence of a cold current, option c. is incorrect as the yearly temperature variation would change due to the control of California Current on the climate of the relocated Champaign, Option d. is incorrect as the temperature variation could change at the same altitude.
Hence, option a. is correct as the summers would be cooler due to the influence of the cold California Current and winters would be warm due to the seasonal reversal of the current, giving rise to a lesser variation in the yearly temperature over Champaign.