climatology
Global temperature patterns are primarily determined by the amount of solar radiation reaching Earth's surface, which in turn is influenced by factors such as latitude, the distribution of land masses and oceans, cloud cover, topography, and the circulation of the atmosphere and oceans. As solar radiation reaches the surface, it is absorbed—resulting in warming, reflected, or converted to latent heat in the evaporation of water. [Source: Encyclopedia of Geography; Temperature Patterns]
temperature patterns
concepts