What environmental factor primarily influences diurnal range?

The diurnal range refers to the difference in temperature between the highest and lowest temperature within a 24-hour period. Sun exposure plays a crucial role in influencing this range, as areas that receive direct sunlight will experience greater heating during the day and potentially cooler temperatures at night, especially if they are in dry conditions with low humidity.

In regions with abundant sun exposure, the temperatures can rise significantly during the day due to the direct heat from the sun, and if the nights are clear and dry, heat can quickly escape into the atmosphere, leading to a colder temperature at night. This stark contrast between daytime heating and nighttime cooling directly contributes to a larger diurnal temperature range.

While humidity levels, elevation, and geographical location can also affect temperature patterns, they do not have as direct an impact on the day-night temperature contrast as sun exposure does. For example, high humidity can inhibit temperature drop at night, while elevation can influence temperature but often does so in a more complex manner that doesn't directly correlate with typical diurnal temperature fluctuations.