Final answer:
The most significant factor affecting atmospheric wind patterns is temperature, due to differences in air pressure created by varying temperatures, which drive wind from high to low-pressure areas.
Step-by-step explanation:
The largest effect on atmospheric wind patterns is C) temperature. Temperature differences in the atmosphere are a significant driver of wind as they can lead to differences in air pressure. When air heats up, it becomes lighter and rises, creating low pressure. Cooler air is denser and sinks, creating high pressure. Wind generally flows from high to low-pressure areas. This process, combined with the Earth's rotation which induces the Coriolis effect, sets up the majority of wind patterns we observe on Earth.
Other factors, such as elevation, latitude, wind systems, ocean currents, position on a continent, and mountain barriers, also influence temperature, precipitation, and the distribution of climate regions, as outlined in WG.4A. However, these do not have as direct and significant an impact on wind patterns as temperature does.