Weather Vs. Climate
Name___________________
Hour
___________________
Due Date
_______________
Background Information: Weather is defined as the state of the atmosphere at a
given time and place, with respect to variables such as temperature, moisture,
wind velocity, and barometric pressure. Climate is defined as the generally
prevailing weather conditions of a region. So, what is the difference? Weather is
what happens at a certain moment, while climate is the general description of all
the weather conditions in an area. For example, when someone says, “it’s a cold
winter day today,” they are talking about the weather. If someone says, “Chicago
winters are cold,” they are describing the climate.
This difference is important to note, as climate change is a current topic of
interest for scientists. The term climate change refers to global changes in
temperature, wind patterns and precipitation. These changes are being driven by
a gradual warming of the Earth’s atmosphere (commonly referred to as global
warming). The Earth’s climate has been changing slowly over the centuries.
Cold periods have alternated with warm periods. However, these changes have
been happening at a much faster and devastating rate in recent years. The
1980’s and 1990’s were the warmest decades on record.
The Earth’s atmosphere traps heat escaping from the surface of the planet,
which keeps us warm. Carbon dioxide, part of the mixture of gases in our
atmosphere (called greenhouse gases), is very good at trapping heat. Some of
the greenhouse gases are released into the atmosphere from nature every day.
For example, carbon dioxide enters the atmosphere daily from decaying plant
matter and forest fires.
In the past, natural processes could handle the amounts of greenhouse gases
generated, and the system remained in balance. In recent decades, however,
human activity through increased use of fossil fuels and cutting down of forests
has been overloading the natural processes. The balance of gases in the
atmosphere has changed significantly. The result: more heat is being trapped in
the atmosphere. The more heat trapped, the warmer the Earth becomes, and
the greater climates across the globe will change.
This rise in temperature is affecting migration, mating seasons, glaciers, etc.
One fear is that glaciers are melting more rapidly and in greater amounts than
they have in the past. In the past, glaciers that are floating off shore were the
only glaciers that melted each year. This melting and freezing does not affect the
ocean’s water level, as the mass of the ice is displacing the water level. With the
warming that is an effect of climate change, glaciers that are on land are melting.
This melting adds to the oceans and increases the water level. The long-term
fear is that water levels will raise enough to submerge coastal cities and
countries.
This is not a hopeless situation. Humans need to take a look at their energy use
and how they get their energy in order to make a difference. Simple choices,
such as turning off the lights when leaving a room or walking to the store instead
of driving can help make a difference.
***Below, brainstorm some examples of weather. For example, it’s raining out or
it is a warm summer.
________________________________________________________________
__
________________________________________________________________
__
________________________________________________________________
__
________________________________________________________________
__
________________________________________________________________
__
________________________________________________________________
__
***Below, brainstorm some examples of climate. For example, it’s hot near the
equator or it never snows in Florida.
________________________________________________________________
__
________________________________________________________________
__
________________________________________________________________
__
________________________________________________________________
__
________________________________________________________________
__
________________________________________________________________
__
Simplified Description of Climate Vs. Weather
How is climate related to weather? Well, weather is a bunch of events that
happen daily in the atmosphere all over the world. For example, it could be hot,
cold, rainy, snowy, windy or a combination of these. Climate is the collection of
weather patterns in your own part of the world over a period of time.
Here’s a simple explanation of weather: it’s the conditions that exist outside.
The air, or atmosphere, around us behaves in different ways. It changes based
on temperature and precipitation. It acts differently when it’s calm or stormy, and
clear or cloudy. The atmosphere reacts to everything from rain to sunshine.
A snow flurry is weather. Thunder and lightning are weather, too. Sometimes
the atmosphere behaves violently, and sometimes it’s peaceful and quiet. Either
way, it is weather.
Meteorologists record the weather every day. The constant recording of weather
information helps to determine the climate of an area.
Climate is the average weather in a location over a long period of time. A place
that doesn’t get much rain over many years would have a dry climate. A place
where it stays cold for most of the year would have a cold climate.
Climate is useful for weather forecasting. It also helps to determine when the
best time would be for farmers to plant their crops. It could even be helpful for
you and your family to plan a vacation.
In other words, look out your window any day, any time and you see weather.
Look out your window every day for a month or longer, observe the weather each
day, and you can determine the climate.
Statement
The summers here are warm and
sometimes humid.
Cumulus clouds presently cover the
entire sky.
Our lowest temperature last winder
was 29⁰C.
The air temperature outside is 22⁰C.
December is our foggiest month.
The highest temperature in Chicago
was 105 degrees recorded July 24,
1934.
Snow is falling at the rate of 5 cm per
hour.
Autumn in Chicago is mild enough to
still go to the beach.
The average temperature for the month
of January in Chicago is 29 degrees.
There was a heat wave this summer.
It is supposed to snow tomorrow.
That region has rain from August
through June.
It hardly ever snows in Florida.
The sky is clear and sunny, but it’s cold
outside.
Answer (Weather or Climate)