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13.2 NOTES What factors determine climate? Objective: Identify and describe the conditions that determine climate Latitude is the distance in degrees north or south of the equator. Latitude determines how much heat energy an area gets from the Sun. At higher latitudes, the Sun’s rays strike Earth at more of an angle. Global wind patterns at different latitudes also alter the number and kinds of storms in an area. The height above sea level is called altitude. Air is warmer at sea level than it is at higher altitudes. The average air temperature drops about 1 degree for every 100 meter rise in altitude. Ocean currents have an effect on the climate of areas along the seacoast. Some ocean currents are warm, and some are cold. Winds passing over ocean currents are either warmed or cooled by them. When these winds reach nearby land areas, they heat or cool the land. A mountain has 2 sides: the windward side and the leeward side. There is hardly any rain on the leeward side. Many deserts are found on this side. The windward side is where air rises and moisture condenses when it cools, causing it to rain or snow.