Latitude:
The closer to the equator - The higher the incidence of Solar radiation - i.e. the more concentrated the sun in on each area. The further away from the Equator the lower the incidence of solar radiation - so the colder it gets. (This incidence change is because of the curvature of the earth )
Altitude:
As you get higher it gets colder - this varies by area
Global Winds/Jet Streams:
Caused by changes temperature which lead to changes in Air Pressure. These winds move air between the equator and poles. Warm air around the equator rises and moves toward the poles, freezing air around the poles sinks and moves toward the equator.
Location in relation to water:
Water heats up and cools down more slowly than land so affect temperature and rainfall rates.
Milankovic Cycles:
The way the Earth revolves around the Sun (changes from orbital shaped to more circular and back) can affect climate Globally
Tilt- and- wobble:
The way the Earth wobbles on its axis means some places are closer to /further away from the sun at times - which can change solar radiation levels received and therefore Climate
Solar Flares:
Sometimes the Sun emits more radiation than other (this is on an 11 year cycle) so it should be warmer when there are more solar flares.
And just to make everything more confusing !!
Climate Change:
The more Carbon (and other Greenhouse gasses) in the atmosphere, the more they effectively 'block' reflected solar radiation - so it cannot escape from Earth. Feedback processes from this can increase or decrease Climate change further - the magnitudes of these still being debated by academics everywhere !
I don't know how much / little of this you'll need to know at the level you're at but I hope it helps !!
Natural Climate Variability? Oceans cycle (El Ninos and La Ninas). The Arctic changes frequently to refresh its fresh water supply to help keep the Northern Hemisphere temperate (some blame the Arctic ice cap melting on human-induced global warming). Carbon cycles (Photosynthesis). tectonic movements of the land. Natural decay (life cycles). Volcanic eruptions. Temperature differences in the poles and the tropics. Lower and upper atmospheric temperature differences. Just a few examples.
The main determinants are temperature and rainfall.
To put it simply, temperature and precipitation, which are caused by a variety of factors.
I have this as part of a study guide and cannot for the life of me figure the answer out!
