How do hot deserts differ from temperate deserts?

Hot deserts and temperate deserts are both defined by a severe shortage of moisture, which creates an imbalance between precipitation and evapotranspiration. Despite this shared aridity, they differ primarily in their geographic location and temperature profiles.1

Key Differences

• Geographic Location and Climate: Hot deserts are typically situated in subtropical regions, north and south of the equatorial belt, where they lie beneath descending, dry air masses associated with the Hadley cell circulation pattern. In contrast, temperate or cold deserts are found at higher latitudes. Their dry conditions are caused by their remoteness from the coast—which limits onshore moisture—or by the presence of high mountain ranges that block moisture-bearing winds.1
• Temperature: As their name implies, hot deserts experience very high temperatures, with absolute maximums often exceeding 40 °C (104 °F). Temperate deserts experience significantly lower temperatures due to their higher latitudinal position.1
• Similarities: While they differ in temperature, both types of deserts share similar environmental features, including immature, alkaline soils and characteristic landforms like stony plains and wadis. Both environments also feature specialized plants and animals that have evolved unique adaptations to survive long periods of moisture shortage.12