What are some reasons for a large temperature difference between the high and low?

Question

What are some reasons for a large temperature difference between the high and low?

Answer 1

Generally, strong daytime surface heating is responsible for that. When the skies are clear, more incoming solar radiation reaches the surface, and therefore heats the surface up. If the skies remain clear during the night, then a new process will be at work instead of daytime heating. Nighttime radiational cooling will take over. The surface will emit energy and evaporate water because of it. The surface will cool down considerably, allowing for a large difference in temperature.