What is the difference between weather and climate?

The distinction between weather and climate is fundamental to geography and atmospheric science. Weather refers to the short-term atmospheric conditions in a specific place at a specific time. It encompasses elements like temperature, humidity, precipitation, wind speed, and visibility, which can change from minute to minute or day to day. For instance, a rainy day or a snowstorm represents weather conditions.

On the other hand, climate is the long-term average of these weather conditions over an extended period, typically 30 years or more, in a given region. It represents the typical patterns and trends of temperature, precipitation, and other atmospheric elements. For example, a region characterized as having a temperate climate may experience moderate rainfall and mild temperatures over time, rather than describing day-to-day variability.

This definition helps to highlight the key differences: weather is what you get day-to-day, while climate is what you expect over the long haul. Other options do not accurately convey this distinction; for example, the notion of weather determining climate is misleading; instead, climate is an accumulation of weather patterns. Thus, understanding that weather is short-term and climate is long-term provides clarity on how these concepts interact in our environment.