What are the two big factors we measure to tell us about climate and why?

The elements affecting the climate are latitude, altitude and pressure and winds, distance from the sea (continentality), ocean currents and relief features.

Latitude and altitude: The most important climatic control is latitude. Latitude affects the temperature of a place. The places situated at higher altitudes which are far from equator receive lesser sunlight and places which are located towards the equator receives more sunlight and are hotter than the places located at higher latitudes. Sunlight also affects precipitation or rainfall. Thus, latitudinal position of a region decides the climate of the place.

Continentality is defined as measure of difference between continental and marine climates. As the distance from sea increases this moderating effect decreases and people face extreme weather conditions

Winds and air masses originate over oceans move onshore to the mainland and affect climate.

Ocean currents affect climate of coastal areas.