Latitude : Latitude is the primary factor influencing distribution of atmospheric temperature. Generally, latitudes of high degrees are less warm than the low degrees of latitudes. Thus, sun’s rays making a high angle to the ground, experience high temperature throughout the year. Temperature gradually decreases with increasing distance from the equator as the angle of the sun’s rays decreases away from it. Hence, the polar region experiences very low temperature.
Altitude : The atmosphere is indirectly heated by terrestrial radiation from surface of the earth. Therefore, the place near the sea level experiences higher temperature than the places situated at higher altitude. In other words, the temperature generally decreases with increase in height. The rate of decrease of temperature with increase in height is known as Normal Lapse rate. It is 6.4°C per 1000 meters altitude.
Distance from the Sea : The location of place with respect to the sea also determines the temperature of that place. Though, the sun provides same amount of heat over land and water bodies, there is difference in their heating and cooling capacity. Compared to land, the sea (water) gets heated slowly and loses heat slowly. On the other hand, land heats up and cools down faster. Therefore, the variation in temperature over the water bodies is less as compared to land masses. The coastal areas come under the moderating influence of the sea and land breezes and experience moderate or equable climate while interior parts of the continents experience extreme climate.
Prevailing winds : Winds affect the temperature and rainfall of any area. Winds carry with them the temperature of their source regions. Hot winds increase the temperature while cold winds decrease the temperature, e.g., cold wind waves from Himalayas carry low temperature to parts of the Deccan Plateau. Thus, south west monsoon winds in India reduce the temperature after the onset of monsoon in June all over the country.
Some winds carry moisture and give rain to the area they visit. For example, South-west monsoon winds give rainfall to western coastline of India.
Ocean currents : Ocean currents considerably influence temperature of the adjacent land area. Warm currents raise the temperature of the coastal areas, whereas cold currents reduce the temperature near the coast where they flow.
Aspect of slope : In the northern hemisphere the south facing slopes and in the southern hemisphere the north facing slopes always face the sun. Hence, sun facing slopes are warmer and the opposite slopes are cooler.
