It is an aggregate of the climatic elements, namely, temperature, precipitation, humidity, rainfall, moisture, wind, sunshine, etc., of a particular place for a long time. It is subject to frequent changes.
Factors that Affect Climate
(a) Latitude:
The farther we go towards North and South from the Equator, the more slanting are sun’s rays, hence, lesser is the amount of heat received here.
(b) Altitude or height above sea-level:
There is a loss of 1°F for approximately every 90 meters of ascent.”
(c) Distance from the sea:
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Sea is cooled or heated more slowly than land, hence places near the sea have mild climate i.e., cool in summer and warm in winter, while those away from the sea have an extreme climate, i.e., very hot in summer and very cold in winter.
(d) Prevailing winds:
Winds coming from the sea bring mild conditions, those coming from the north are cold, while southerly winds are warm.
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(e) Ocean currents:
Warm currents bring milder climate, cold currents bring about cold and desert conditions.
(f) Slope of the land:
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If a country slopes away from the sun, the rays of the sun fall obliquely, and the climate will be cold.
(g) Nature of the soil:
In sandy deserts there is a wide range of temperature between day and night.
(h) Forests:
Forested areas have moist climate as they are reservoirs of water, and are called hidden lakes.