How does Latitude affect climate?

How does Latitude affect climate?

• A. Latitude determines wind patterns.
• B. Latitude has no effect on climate.
• C. The closer you are to the equator, the hotter the climate.
• D. Latitude only affects seasons, not temperature.

Answer: (C)

Latitude controls how much solar energy a place receives over the year. The sun’s rays strike the equator more directly, so a given area gets more energy per square meter year-round, which keeps temperatures high on average and makes seasons less extreme. As you move toward higher latitudes, the sun sits lower in the sky, energy is spread over a larger area, and daylight varies more with the seasons, leading to cooler average temperatures and stronger seasonal changes. While other factors like altitude and ocean currents can modify climate, this direct link between latitude and the amount of solar energy explains why the closer you are to the equator, the hotter the climate tends to be.