American Meteorological Society Certification (AMS) Practice 2026 - Free Practice Questions and Study Guide

The primary factor that causes a microclimate to differ from the surrounding areas is topography and local geographical features. Microclimates are small, localized areas where the climate can be significantly different from the larger area surrounding them. This difference is heavily influenced by the physical landscape.

For instance, valleys, hills, and bodies of water can all create unique weather conditions that can vary widely over short distances. A hillside might receive more sunlight and therefore be warmer and drier than the shaded areas below it. Additionally, water bodies can moderate temperatures and increase humidity in their vicinity, leading to a microclimate that contrasts with the drier areas further away.

In comparison, while variability in precipitation rates, wind patterns, and seasonal temperature averages all contribute to broader climate characteristics, they do not account for the localized and specific conditions that define microclimates as strongly as the local topography and physical features do. Hence, the unique geographical context is fundamental in creating these distinctive climatic areas.