Analyze the geographical factors governing the climate of Tamil Nadu: Assertion (A): Chennai experiences warmer winter temperatures and higher annual maritime influence compared to inland cities like Vellore or Salem. Reason (R): Coastal locations have a lower thermal capacity and are subjected to continuous land-sea breeze circulations that moderate extreme temperature fluctuations. Which of the following is correct?

💡 Solution & Explanation

Assertion (A) is true because coastal stations like Chennai experience moderated temperatures due to maritime proximity. However, Reason (R) contains a scientific error: water and marine bodies possess a much higher specific heat capacity than land, not lower, which allows them to absorb and store large amounts of solar energy with minimal temperature change, thus moderating coastal climates. Inland stations lack this thermal buffer and exhibit continental temperature extremes with colder winter nights and hotter summer afternoons. Land-sea breezes operate on a diurnal cycle driven by differential heating rates.