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Book 17, Question 12 · Video

Why Does the Temperature Stay Almost the Same All Year in a Rainforest?

Video · 1:58 · Crafty Clover explains, from A Million Whys Book 17

Near the equator, the Sun's strength barely changes through the year, so every month is warm. Clouds and the thick canopy also keep days from getting scorching and nights from gett

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What Crafty Clover says in this video

Intro

Hi there, curious minds! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. Why does the temperature stay almost the same all year in a rainforest?

The Big Idea

Near the equator, the Sun's strength barely changes through the year, so every month is warm. Clouds and the thick canopy also keep days from getting scorching and nights from getting cold. That is why the temperature stays almost the same.

Steady Sun

Step one: steady sunshine. Near the equator, the Sun is strong every month, so there is no winter and no summer. Many rainforests have only two seasons: wet and slightly less wet.

Cloud Cover

Step two: cloud cover. Heavy clouds block some sunlight, so the days don't get scorching hot. The thick canopy shades the ground, too.

Warm Nights

Step three: warm nights. Humid air and leaves hold on to heat, so nights only cool off a few degrees. Daily highs are often around 85 degrees Fahrenheit, which is about 29 degrees Celsius.

A Closer Look

Let's take a closer look! The Sun's strength stays steady. Clouds keep the days from getting too hot. The leafy canopy works like a blanket at night. So the temperature stays near 85 degrees.

Quick Facts

Quick facts! Many rainforests have just two seasons: wet and slightly less wet. Daily highs are around 85 degrees Fahrenheit, about 29 Celsius. Nights are only a few degrees cooler. Look up the weather with a grown-up.

Think Like a Scientist

Now, think like a scientist! With a grown-up, look up the weather in a rainforest city like Manaus, Brazil. Compare its January and July temperatures. Then compare them with your own town. Which place changes more?

Outro

A rainforest stays warm all year long. Science is amazing! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!

Why I wrote this