  Convective motions in the deep layers of the solar convection zone are
affected by rotation, making the convective heat transport latitude-dependent,
but this is not the case in the top layers near the surface. We use the thermal
wind balance condition in the deeper layers to estimate the pole-equator
temperature difference. Surface observations of this temperature difference can
be used for estimating the depth of the near-surface layer within which
convection is not affected by rotation. If we require that the thermal wind
balance holds in this layer also, then we have to conclude that this must be a
layer of strong differential rotation and its characteristics which we derive
are in broad agreement with the observational data of the near-surface shear
layer.
