 Goal 13 of the Sustainable Development Goals – Climate Action – Factors that Influence Climate Meet Steve. Steve just moved to a new city in the same state, but quickly noticed the difference in climate. He stopped seeing snow, noticed more flooding, and had to get a whole new wardrobe. Steve was not expecting the change, and wondered why things were so different in his new home. Luckily for Steve, a little research was able to shed some light on his situation. Steve learned that different factors contribute to an area's climate, including elevation, wind patterns, and vegetation. Examples of these include climatic conditions, like colder weather and higher elevation, and building height and placement affecting the wind patterns of cities. Other factors that can influence an area's climate are ocean currents and the surface of the earth. Ocean currents bring in warm water that affect precipitation, and different earth surfaces either absorb heat, like areas with heavy vegetation, or reflect it, like areas covered in snow. Steve now knows all about the factors that influence climate. Next time he wants to move, he knows exactly what to consider.