1. How do you explain the variation in temperature from Austin, Texas, to Thompson, Manitoba, Canada?
2. What are two reasons that solar radiation is different at different latitudes?
3. Look at the map of temperature versus latitude around the globe. Why are the bands
not straight across?

1. While the two cities might be on almost the same longitude, Latitude is the main factor that affects the amount of solar radiation a place receives. This amount of solar radiation we're talking about in any particular place receives, is greatest at the Equator and lessens toward the poles.

Also, latitude is not the only factor that determines the temperature of a region. Other factors like,

Altitude,  Distance from the sea.  Humidity   Ocean currents and more

Those are a few factors that affect temperature of a region.

2. The angle of incoming solar radiation changes yearly/seasonal temperatures of locations at different latitudes. When the sun's rays strike Earth's surface near the equator, the incoming solar radiation is more direct to about 90 degrees or so.

3. Because of the placement of each place.

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