1. Weather and Climate
What’s the Difference?

2. Today, you will learn that:
Weather and climate are always changing. At times the changes can be sudden and dramatic, while on other occasions the changes are subtle and occur over long periods of time.
You should be able to identify:
1. How are weather and climate different?
2. How does weather affect climate?

3. Weather
Weather generally refers to day-to-day temperature, precipitation activity, etc.
Weather includes sunshine, rain, cloud cover, winds, hail, snow, sleet, freezing rain, flooding, blizzards, ice storms, thunderstorms, steady rains from a cold front or warm front, excessive heat, heat waves and more.

4. Tools to Measure Weather
Rain Gauge
This tells you how much precipitation we’ve received.
Thermometer
This tells you how hot or cold a place is.
Wind Vane
This tells you which direction the wind is blowing.
Compass
This tells you which way is North, so you can use a Wind Vane.

5. Here is an example of a Weather Map

6. Climate
Climate is the description of the long-term average pattern of weather in a particular area. Some scientists define climate as the average weather for a particular region and time period, usually taken over 30-years.

7. One example of a Climate Map
Amount of Rain per Month in New York City

8. Another Example of a Climate Map
Average Temperatures in New York City each month

9. Atmosphere
Atmosphere is made up of clouds and particles in the sky and it’s where our weather occurs