Final answer:
Elevation significantly influences climate, with higher elevations leading to lower average temperatures. This relationship is widely recognized, with an approximate temperature decrease of 3.5 °F for every 1,000 feet of elevation gained.
Step-by-step explanation:
The influence of elevation on climate is significant; specifically, A) The higher the elevation, the lower the average temperatures. As one ascends in elevation above sea level, the air becomes thinner and less capable of holding heat, which therefore results in lower temperatures. This trend is observed globally, with a general rule of thumb indicating a temperature decrease of approximately 3.5 °F for every 1,000-foot increase in elevation. This relationship is crucial in understanding why we find snow-capped mountains even in regions that may have warm base climates.
Other factors influencing climate include latitude, wind systems, ocean currents, the position on a continent, and mountain barriers. Each of these factors can have profound effects on temperature, precipitation, and the overall distribution of climate regions.