Profile
Settings
Refer your friends
Sign out
The words climate and weather are commonly used in our discussion of atmospheric temperatures. Due to inclusivity, it becomes difficult to define weather and climate. In a geographical sense, the word climate means the weather conditions prevalent in a region or area, either in general or for an extended period. The word originates from the Greek word Klima which means inclination.
On the other hand, the weather is primarily the condition of the atmosphere at a specific place and time. The general references to the weather include heat, dryness, cloudiness, rain, sunshine, wind, etc. It is essential to differentiate them.
Defining Weather
To define weather and climate, it is essential to understand the correlation.
Weather refers to the conditions encountered in the atmosphere influenced by several factors, including latitude, local and regional geography, and altitude.
The most general weather classifications are hot, cold, dry, and wet. The weather directly impacts the way people choose to wear clothes. For instance, you may choose to wear shorts and t-shirts on a hot sunny day, whereas you may opt for a furry jacket to protect you from the cold of a wintery day.
The weather discussions often include temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure, cloud cover, and current components. The prominent factors that influence the weather of a region include air temperature, air humidity, amount and kind of cloud cover, speed and direction of the wind, air pressure, and amount and type of precipitation. The difference between weather and climate is not so subtle.
These factors result in one of the twelve common weather conditions: sunny, partially cloudy, cloudy, overcast, rain, drizzle, snow, and storm.
Some severe weather conditions that can be experienced are thunderstorms, winter storms, tornados, and droughts. The weather of a particular place or region is changing continuously because temperature and humidity change in the atmosphere.
Factors Affecting Climate
Climate refers to the mean weather conditions that prevail in a particular geographical territory based on the average weather that has been recorded in that region over the last 30 years. Several factors influence the climatic conditions of an area. These factors are landscape, human and natural activities, and relief.
Climate is subject to alteration over time and space. The climate is prone to change from one place to another within a climatic zone. For instance, a hill might have a sunny side and a shady side. Such areas that display minute variations are called microclimates.
Several factors like proximity to the sea, ocean currents, proximity to the poles, atmospheric pressure belts, and prevailing winds are likely to influence the climate of a region. The climate, in turn, has an impact on the vegetation and animals that are found in the particular area.
- Koeppen proposed five major climatic groups submitted by W. Koeppen: tropical climate, dry climate, humid mid-latitudes climate (mid-winters), humid mid-latitudes climate (severe winters), and polar climates. Each varies in the degree of precipitation, temperature, and seasonal variation.
Difference Between Climate and Weather
When we plan our day, we often check the local weather forecast. At the same time, climate change is an intensively discussed topic these days. Now, what exactly is the difference between climate and weather?
Climate | Weather |
In simple terms, the climate is the atmospheric condition you expect. | The weather is the atmospheric condition; that you get. |
Climate is the meaning of that weather. For instance, you can expect a hot and humid climate in SouthAsia in July. The references to climate also include discussions about all-time high or low Temperatures. | Weather is what you observe outside on a particular day or time. For instance, it might be sunny at 30 degrees celsius, or it might be cold at 10 degrees celsius. |
Therefore, the main difference between climate and weather is that weather has the potential to change every minute or every hour. Climate, however, is the long-term average of atmospheric conditions daily.
Conclusion
Thus, climate and weather are common terminologies in the geographical field. In addition, they have a practical application in our everyday lives. This, in turn, necessitates the need to understand the difference between climate and weather. While weather changes very often, the climate is more or less permanent and less susceptible to change. Weather is an atmospheric condition that is experienced over small geographical areas. On the other hand, the climate is an atmospheric condition found in comparatively larger areas or regions.
