Question

Why are temperature and precipitation the most important elements in describing a climate?

Answer 1

Temperature and water content are the only real variables of the atmosphere.

Explanation:

Meteorologists measure things like air pressure and relative humidity, but the only actual variables of the atmosphere are water content and temperature. Every other parameter is a result of the interaction of these 2 variables.

Since amount of water and temperature are so important in the atmosphere, it stands to reason that these are the two most important elements for describing climate.