When we talk about climate, we can't ignore all the factors that determine it, since climate is the set of atmospheric conditions that characterize a geographical area. These atmospheric conditions are called climate drivers. Their variables are what create the specific climates found in different parts of the world.
In this article we are going to analyze all the meteorological variables known as climate drivers and describe them one by one. Do you want to know what factors condition the climate? Keep reading to find out 
Climate, a complex system
To understand everything related to climate controllers, it is necessary to start from the base that the climate is not something easy to understand. It is a complex system and very difficult to predict. Although the weather people tell you "easily" that tomorrow it will rain and in which areas specifically, that takes a great study behind it.
A multitude of meteorological variables must be analyzed, such as temperature, humidity, precipitation, wind, pressure, and so on. Meteorology should not be confused with climatology. Meteorology is the weather forecast for a specific time. Climate is the average of all the variables that make up a system and, therefore, is what defines a particular geographical area.
To know the climate of an area, it is necessary to study natural factors such as altitude, latitude, orientation of the relief, marine currents, distance from the sea, direction of the winds, duration of the seasons of the year or continentality. All these factors intervene in the characteristics of one climate or another.
For example, latitude determines the angle at which the sun's rays strike a region. It also determines the length of day and night. This is crucial for understanding the amount of solar radiation received throughout the day and, consequently, the temperatures. Furthermore, it also influences the location of cyclones and anticyclones.
Meteorological variables
Meteorological variables play a role in understanding the climate of a region. After all, climate is the result of the interaction of these variables over time. The climate of a region cannot be determined simply by measuring these variables for a few months or years . Climate can only be determined after decades of extensive research.
However, a region's climate is not always stable. Over time, and especially due to human activity (see The Greenhouse Effect ), the climate of many regions is changing.
Variables like those mentioned above also change on a small scale and gradually over time. For example, altitude and the orientation of the terrain are two important variables to consider when describing a climate, and they play a key role in the adaptation of flora and fauna . This is because a city located on a north-facing slope is not the same as one on a south-facing slope. Nor is it the same if the city is situated in an area where the wind blows from the windward or leeward direction.
The seasons also play a fundamental role. In each region, the seasons are different. Autumn can be drier in one part of the world than in another. Many of a climate's characteristics are related to ocean currents or a region's proximity to the sea.
Coastal zone vs inland zone
Let's consider a coastal city versus an inland city. In the former, temperatures won't be as extreme, since the sea acts as a thermal regulator and moderates temperature contrasts. Humidity is also a factor. It will be lower in inland areas where there is no coastline. Therefore, coastal climates are characterized (broadly speaking) by mild temperatures year-round and high humidity . On the other hand, inland climates have extreme temperatures, hot in summer and cold in winter, and low humidity.
The fact that the sea acts as a thermal regulator means there is a difference in specific heat between water and land. This generates a temperature difference that causes sea breezes. Furthermore, the coastal zone has a greater capacity to generate water vapor and precipitation, which can affect the behavior of forest fires.
Climate controllers and their description
Although it is not created, the relief is one of the climate controllers that conditions a geographical area. It is the type of relief that hinders the entry of air masses and modifies their temperature and humidity. When they collide with the mountain ranges, they rise and, when cooling, discharge in the form of precipitation.
General atmospheric circulation is related to a place's climate. Depending on differences in temperature and pressure, we can find areas of high pressure and low pressure. When there are high pressure areas, the weather is generally stable, and when there is low pressure, there is usually rain, as observed in situations of climate change that affect health.
Another factor influencing climate is cloud cover. A greater amount of cloud cover generally allows less solar radiation to reach the Earth, thus affecting temperatures. Cloud cover in an area is measured as the percentage of cloudy days per year. Observatories on the Iberian Peninsula indicate that Andalusia has the highest number of clear days annually. While cloud cover reduces sunlight by blocking solar radiation, it also hinders surface cooling.
Fog can also be one of the climate controllers, although more recurrent. It is a fairly frequent phenomenon in high mountain areas, valleys and river basins. If there is enough moisture in the air, it condenses into fog. It occurs especially in the mornings.
As you can see, climate controllers can be more or less conditioning when it comes to characterizing it, but they all contribute the necessary grain of sand.
