Final answer:
The term 'torrid' means hot, reflecting the extreme heat conditions typically found in subtropical deserts such as the Sinai, where daytime temperatures can be exceedingly high and night temperatures may drop significantly.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the context provided, the desert conditions described as 'torrid' for the Israeli division operating in the Sinai suggest that the conditions were hot. The term 'torrid' is typically used to describe extremely high temperatures and can often imply a sense of oppressiveness, which is fitting for the desert environment. Subtropical deserts, such as the Sahara Desert or the Namib Desert, experience extreme heat during the day with soil surface temperatures that can exceed 60°C (140°F) and may cool dramatically at night, sometimes approaching 0°C (32°F) due to the lack of water vapor in the air to retain heat. These deserts are also characterized by low annual precipitation and high evaporation rates, which contributes to their dry conditions.