Weather is the short-term atmospheric conditions while climate is the long-term prevailing weather patterns of an area. The four main factors that determine climate are latitude, atmospheric circulation patterns, oceanic circulation patterns, and local geography. Latitude determines the amount of sunlight an area receives, which impacts temperatures and seasonal variations. Atmospheric circulation patterns such as global wind belts and ocean currents redistribute heat around the Earth, influencing coastal and regional climates. Seasonal changes are caused by the tilt of the Earth's axis, which alters the angle at which sunlight strikes different parts of the planet throughout the year.