Diurnal temperature variation

As solar energy strikes the Earth's surface each morning, a shallow 1–3-centimetre (0.39–1.18 in) layer of air directly above the ground is heated by conduction.

Incoming solar radiation exceeds outgoing heat energy for many hours after noon and equilibrium is usually reached from 3–5 p.m., but this may be affected by a variety of factors such as large bodies of water, soil type and cover, wind, cloud cover/water vapor, and moisture on the ground.

In Europe, due to its more northern latitude and close proximity to large warm water bodies (such as the Mediterranean), differences in daily temperature are not as pronounced as in other continents.

In Australia, significant diurnal temperature variations generally occur in the Red Centre around Alice Springs and Uluru.

Wine regions situated in areas of high altitude experience the most dramatic swing in temperature variation during the course of a day.