Altitude refers to the vertical distance between the lowest point and the highest point of an area. People generally compare a land's altitude by measuring the distance from sea level to the highest point. The Köppen climate classification uses altitude to divide the climate regions in to categories for low, mid and high altitudes.
Latitude is the distance a region is from the equator, to the north or south. A region's latitude determines how much solar energy it receives from the sun, which in turn factors in to the region's overall temperature.
Prevailing winds blow over a particular spot on the earth in one direction. These winds can carry moisture to a climate region and play a factor in the overall temperature. Three main prevailing winds determine regional climates. The trade winds, which blow northeast and southeast, are found near the equator. The westerlies blow west and east in mid-latitude regions. The polar easterlies blow in to the westerlies from the north and south poles.
Precipitation is the amount of rainfall an area receives. Rainfall plays a large role in the climate of a region. For example, lush rainforests have heavy rainfall while a desert receives minimal rain a year. Precipitation in an area is largely dependent on the winds that cross over the region.
The current in the ocean plays a factor in the regional climate. Currents in the ocean can run warm or cool. The temperature of the current affects the air above it by cooling or heating the area. The wind then picks up these temperatures and carries them to the different climate regions. Ocean currents that flow towards the equator contribute to cooler climates while ocean currents that flow away from the equator contribute to warmer climates.
