What Factors Affect Temperature?
Latitude
As solar energy has twice the area to heat at 60° north and 60° south as it does at the equator. Therefore, average temperatures are lower at higher altitudes.
Length Of Day and Night
Because the earth's axis is tilted at an angle of 23.5°, there are seasonal differences in the number daylight hours. The shorter the day the less opportunity there is for the Earth and its atmosphere to absorb heat. The different latitudes effect the length of the day.
Seasonal Differences
The changing seasons determine the angle at which the suns rays hit the earth's surface. From November to January the southern hemisphere is tilted towards the sun. From May to July the Northern hemisphere is tilted towards the sun. This is why the northern hemisphere is having there summer while the southern hemisphere is having its winter.
Elevation (Height Above Sea Level)
Mountain areas are cooler than lower area because of there height. Mt Kilimanjaro is Africa's highest mountain. At 5894 meters its top is permanently covered in snow, even though it is just south of the equator. On average the temperature drops 6.5°C every 100 meters of elevation.
What Factors Affect Both Rainfall And Temperature?
Mountain Barriers
Mountains also act as barriers to the movement of moisture laden air. When warm moist air is forced to rise, it cools and the water vapour in the air turn into droplets of water. These water droplets fall on the mountains windward side (the side facing the wind) as either rain or snow. This is known as orographic rainfall. The air flowing over the mountain is now much drier, deserts are often found on the sheltered side of mountain ranges. This is known as the rain-shadow affect.
Distance From The Sea
Distance from the sea influences both rainfall and temperature.
Temperature
Places away from the coast can have higher temperatures during the day and lower temperatures at night because of the speed land gains and loses temperature. Oceans absorb heat at night and release it slowly during the night.
Rainfall
Winds off the coast carry a lot of moisture and bring rain on the coast but gets rid of the moisture for the inland places. Water evaporates much more quickly from oceans effected by warm ocean currents.
Ocean Currents
The temperature of ocean currents influences both air temperature and rainfall.
Prevailing Winds
When prevailing winds blow over warm bodies of water it often brings rain.
