Consider the following statements regarding the deviation of isotherms (lines of equal temperature) over land and ocean:

1. In January, isotherms bend northward over continents and southward over oceans in the Northern Hemisphere.

2. In July, isotherms bend southward over continents and northward over oceans in the Northern Hemisphere.

3. The presence of cold ocean currents amplifies the northward bending of isotherms over the oceans.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

The correct answer is option 4.

Key Points

• Statement 1 – Incorrect

  • January is winter in the Northern Hemisphere

  • Continents cool faster than oceans → become colder

  • Correct pattern: Isotherms bend southward over continents (colder) and northward over oceans (warmer)

  • This statement reverses the correct pattern

• Statement 2 – Incorrect

  • July is summer in the Northern Hemisphere

  • Continents heat faster than oceans → become hotter

  • Correct pattern: Isotherms bend northward over continents (warmer) and southward over oceans (cooler)

  • This statement reverses the correct pattern

• Statement 3 – Incorrect

  • Cold ocean currents would make adjacent ocean areas COOLER

  • This would cause isotherms to bend SOUTHWARD (equatorward) over these cooler ocean areas

  • Northward bending occurs over WARMER ocean areas (like warm currents)

  • The statement has it exactly backwards​

    • Thus, none of the statements are correct.

    • Correct Answer: (d) None