In the present era, one of the major concerns for every individual on this planet is global warming. This drastic change of earth’s temperature is affecting all living organisms on it. This problem has been increasing over the past few decades. Thus, now it is the right time to unfold this matter and take proper measures to correct it.
To understand the changing climate condition better, here is how to distinguish between weather and climate.
Definition of Climate
Climate is the atmospheric condition of a particular location over a long-term period. The average summation of the atmospheric elements of a place is considered as the climate of that particular region.
These atmospheric elements include temperature, solar radiation, precipitation, humidity, wind, and atmospheric pressure. Depending on these elements and its variants, respective centres of a specific zone maintain climate records.
These records, like the amount of rainfall, the hottest day, the coldest day, etc. are helpful in forecasting the upcoming climate which is done by analysing previously accumulated data. Based on the observation of these atmospheric elements’ records of above 30 years, the climate is deduced.
Definition of Weather
Weather is the daily atmospheric conditions of a specific place. The study of weather is necessary to understand its effects on the everyday life and activities of humans. The atmospheric conditions like the brightness of sun, wind, visibility, humidity, cloudiness, temperature, etc. measure the weather of a particular day and time.
Weather can change within minutes, or hours, or even as per seasons. These changes mostly happen in the closest atmospheric layer to the ground called the troposphere. Nowadays, due to satellite observation, weather prediction has become easy.
Even though both weather and climate include some similar atmospheric elements, there are some prominent differences between these two. Here are some differences between weather and climate in tabular form-
Difference between Weather and Climate in Points
|
Sl. No. |
Weather |
Climate |
|
1. |
The day to day information of atmospheric changes of a particular area at a specific time is called weather. |
Climate is the statistical information of the average weather condition of a specific region for more than 30 years. |
|
2. |
The weather of a place includes the short-term atmospheric condition. Also, these atmospheric conditions can change within a short period like minutes, hours, days, etc. |
The climate of a country or zone includes the long-term average atmospheric conditions. Thus, the climate is average weather information observed over decades. |
|
3. |
The atmospheric elements of weather are air pressure, humidity, wind, temperature, rain, cloudiness, storms, snow, precipitation, etc. These conditions can affect the weather of the place within a short time. |
When the atmospheric elements of weather are observed over the decades, those become the affecting conditions of climate. These conditions can include temperature, humidity, wind, etc. |
|
4. |
The weather of a particular location can impact the day to day human life like occupation, transportation, communication, agriculture, etc. |
The climate of a country significantly impacts industries, agriculture, the livelihood of the inhabitants of that geographical locale. |
|
5. |
Weather conditions change very frequently. |
Climate conditions change over a long period. |
|
6. |
The meteorological department of a place observes the changes in weather conditions. The study of weather forecasting is known as meteorology. |
Institutes of climate studies observe and predict the changes in climate. This study is called climatology. |
Important Questions on Weather and Climate
1. Write the Basic difference between Weather and Climate.
Ans. The primary difference between weather, and climate is the duration over which they are measured. Weather includes the short-term changes of the atmospheric conditions, while climate is the observation of weather for a longer-term.
Difference between Climate and Season
Similar to the climate weather difference, the season is different from the climate. The season is determined by the changes in weather during a specific time of a year. Contrastingly, the climate is the behaviour of the atmosphere over a longer timeline. Thus, the prime difference between season and climate is also the measure of duration.
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