Factors That Affect Climate LOWER Near Water

L atitude O cean Currents W inds and air masses E levation (altitude) R elief Near Water

Latitude Distance from the equator is one key factor in determining whether a region has a hot climate or a cold one. Since the earth is round, the sun’s rays hits the equator region different then the pole regions.

The sun hits both these sections of the earth with the same amount of energy; however, on places that are closer to the equator, the sun’s energy is spread out over a smaller area and is therefore much more concentrated producing more heat to these areas. Because of the curvature of the earth, the sun’s energy is spread out over a large area the closer you go to the poles.