The strength of mountain and valley breezes depends on the amount of which heating?

• A. Solar heating
• B. Radiant heating
• C. Latent heating
• D. Sensible heating

Answer: (A)

Mountain and valley breezes arise from the sun heating valley floors and mountain slopes at different rates. The amount of solar heating controls how strong the surface temperature contrast becomes; when the sun shines brightly, slopes heat up quickly, air near the surface rises along the slopes, and a stronger valley breeze develops. When solar input is weak, the contrast is small and the breeze weakens or dies away. Radiant heating describes how sunlight reaches and warms surfaces, latent heating involves moisture changes and isn’t the main driver here, and sensible heating is the air’s temperature rise due to that heat—yet the key factor determining breeze strength is the amount of solar heating.