Over the oceans, where do the highest annual values for insolation occur?

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BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

First, let’s restate the question and the options to frame what we’re evaluating: the question asks where the highest annual values for insolation occur over the oceans, and the choices are: In the midlatitudes; Over the subtropics; Near the poles; In the tropics.
Option 1: In the midlatitudes. While midlatitudes do receive substantial solar radiation at times, the annual average is not the highest there because these regions experience more variable clouds and weather systems that reduce clear-sky radiation on many days.
Option 2: Over the subtropics. The subtropics are characterized by relatively persistent high-pressure systems, drier air, and more cloud-free days for much of the year, which leads to a higher average solar insolation annually compared to other oceanic regions. These conditions minimize atmospheric scattering and absorption, enhancing the net insolation received.
Option 3: Near the poles. Near-polar regions receive lower annual insolation on average due to the oblique angle of incidence and long periods of darkness in winter, leading to a low annual mean rather than a high one.
Option 4: In the tropics. The tropical belt receives strong sunlight, but the presence of widespread convective clouds and the Intertropical Convergence Zone can increase cloudiness and rainfall, which reduces the clear-sky insolation averaged over the year relative to the subtropics. Therefore, the annual average is not the highest here.
In summary, the factors that raise annual insolation values over the oceans—clear skies, dry air, and fewer cloud-dense periods—are most consistently present in the subtropical oceans, making them the region with the highest annual insolation values among the given options.

Over the oceans, where do the highest annual values for insolation occur?

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