What’s the Difference?

Climate or Weather?  Weather is the daily conditions of the atmosphere.  Weather changes day to day.  Weather = one day  Example: 54°, partly cloudy, with light rain  Example: 23°, sunny, and dry  Climate is the average weather over a long period of time.  Climate doesn’t change much from year to year.  Climate = one year  For example, Kentucky’s climate includes:  cold, wet winters  hot, dry summers  mild, wet spring and fall

What Affects Climate? Factor 1: Nearness to Water Being close to water makes an area more humid and increases the wind in the area. This could lead to up and down temperatures and different precipitation. Factor 2: Wind More wind in an area means weather that changes more often.

What Affects Climate? Factor 3: Mountains Mountains can block the wind and precipitation from entering the area. Sometimes this can create a dry, desert area.

What Affects Climate? Factor 4: Altitude Altitude is how high above sea level a place is. An area found in high altitude has drier air and cooler temps, which means: low humidity less precipitation more sunshine dry weather

What Affects Climate? Factor 5: Latitude How far away from the equator is this area? The farther away an area it is, the less direct sunlight it receives. This means cooler temperatures. Kentucky is in a middle latitude, so we have mild temperatures.