thermal equator The zone of highest mean temperature over the Earth, either in the annual or long-term average or at a given moment. On the long-term average, it is located around 5°N latitude. This position north of the geographical equator results from the generally rather higher temperature of the northern hemisphere as compared with the southern hemisphere; this is because the glaciated Antarctic continent maintains colder summers in the southern hemisphere than does the Arctic, with a much smaller land area, in the northern hemisphere. See also COLD POLE.

thermal equator The zone of highest mean temperature over the Earth, either in the annual or long-term average or at a given moment. On the long-term average, it is located around 5°N latitude. This position north of the geographical equator results from the generally rather higher temperature of the northern hemisphere as compared with the southern hemisphere; this is because the glaciated Antarctic continent maintains colder summers in the southern hemisphere than does the Arctic, with a much smaller land area, in the northern hemisphere. See also cold pole.