Factors like temperature, atmospheric pressure, winds, humidity, rain etc on the surface of the earth that control the distribution and amount of elements of climate are called climatic factors.

(i) Latitude:

1. Sun rays fall vertically over equatorial region hence, it is hot throughout the year.
2. India is divided into two zones of different climatic conditions viz. torrid zone and temperate zone.
3. There is a distance of about 111 kilometres between two latitudes. So type of climate on the earth surface changes according to the latitude of the place concerned.
4. Thus, distribution of elements in climate mostly follow latitudes.

(ii) Distance from Sea:

1. Water and land have different capacity to conserve and release the solar heat.
2. As a result, coastal regions experience temperate climate, while the climate becomes continental in the interior places away from the sea coast.
3. Thus, the climate of Mumbai in India is temperate as it is near the sea coast, while it is continental at Nagpur or Delhi as these places are far from sea.

(iii) Altitude:

1. In normal conditions as we go higher air temperature decreases at 1° C for the ascent of 165 metres or by 6.5° for ascent of every 1000 metres.
2. As we go higher from sea-level, air pressure and air temperature decrease.
3. Due to the high altitude, the Himalayan peaks remain snow-covered throughout the year.
4. Moist air cools down when it rises and gives rain with increasing altitude of mountains, the rainfall increase.
5. In mountain regions of Assam and Meghalaya rainfall increases with increasing altitude.

(iv) Atmospheric Pressure and Winds:

1. India falls in the path of north-east trade winds.
2. These winds originate due to tropical high-pressure belt in northern hemisphere.
3. These winds deflect due to Coriolis force and blow towards equator.
4. These winds blow over landmass, they contain less moisture. But due to vast water mass located to the south of India, the winds contain moisture and bring rain in India.
5. During winter, high pressure develops to the north of Himalaya. Cold and dry winds from this region blow towards oceanic area where low pressure is created.
6. These winds tend to blow from Indian Ocean to low pressure in North India. Thus, these winds contain moisture and bring rain in India.