Weather and climate

Weather Weather refers to the daily environmental conditions we experience around us. It can also be used to describe the condition of the atmosphere in a place at a certain time. Weather happens in our atmosphere. Weather conditions can vary and change from day to day, hour to hour, and minute to minute.

Weather Weather effects what we wear, what we might do, and where we might go. It influences our daily activities Weather is monitored EACH DAY by weather professionals and reported to us.

Weather Words! Temperature—how hot or cold it is outside. Precipitation—when any form of water falls from the sky. Examples are rain, snow, hail, and sleet. Humidity—the amount of water vapor in the air. Wind—caused by the surface of the Earth being heated unevenly by the Sun.

Measuring Weather We can use tools such as rain gauges, wind socks and thermometers to gather weather information. We can use charts, tables, and graphs for recording and comparing weather data.

Weather maps A weather map contains symbols and a map key indicating weather conditions. We use the information on weather maps to predict the weather change.

How to read a weather map Warm fronts are the locations where a warm air mass is replacing a cooler air mass. Cold fronts are the locations where a cold air mass is replacing a warm air mass.

Climate Climate refers to the average conditions in a place OVER A LONG PERIOD OF TIME. Weather can be observed each day, whereas climate must be observed over time. Climate can NOT be determined by measuring day to day changes.

Weather or Climate? If I’m going on vacation this weekend to Florida, would I check the weather or the climate for that area? Why? If I’m going to move to Alaska, would I want to check the weather or the climate for that area? Why? In your group, discuss a time when you would need to check the weather of an area and another time you would need the climate of an area. How are those times different?