Why do high deserts experience more extreme weather than rolling hills?

High deserts experience more extreme weather compared to rolling hills primarily due to significant temperature differences between day and night. This phenomenon is known as diurnal temperature variation, where the lack of moisture and vegetation in desert regions allows for rapid heating during the day as the sun elevates temperatures but also leads to rapid cooling at night once the sun sets.

Deserts generally have a dry atmosphere that cannot hold heat effectively, resulting in less insulation during the evening hours. As a consequence, temperatures can drop dramatically at night, sometimes leading to frosts. In contrast, rolling hills often have more vegetation and moisture, which tends to moderate temperature fluctuations, leading to milder outcomes.

Understanding this aspect of climate helps explain the harsh and variable weather patterns characteristic of high deserts compared to the more temperate and stable conditions typically found in regions with rolling hills.