What are climate zones based on?

Climate zones are categorized primarily based on temperature and precipitation patterns. These two factors are critical in determining the types of weather conditions that prevail in a particular region over time. The distribution of temperature affects the overall warmth of an area, while precipitation influences the availability of moisture, which is vital for ecosystems and agriculture.

Temperature varies with geographic latitude and altitude, and it is key in classifying climates into distinct zones, such as tropical, temperate, and polar. Similarly, precipitation patterns, which include rainfall amounts and seasonal variations, are essential in differentiating between arid, semi-arid, humid, and wet climates. Together, these elements create specific climate characteristics that define and distinguish various regions across the globe.

While altitude, soil types, human activities, land use, and biodiversity can influence regional climates, they do not serve as primary bases for defining climate zones as temperature and precipitation do.