What is the Difference Between Weather and Climate?
We all had learnt about the climate when we were in school. There were specific chapters in geography. From the, we have all moved on in life. These days, we also check the weather before going out to work. These terms have occupied a special place in our lives. It is because we have seen much turbulent weather for quite some time. It is necessary that we know what is the difference between weather and climate.
It becomes critical as there are lots of variances in what they mean. It would lead to severe consequences if they were not used in the correct sense. The climatic pattern has been very erratic. It has a long lasting effect on the economy of countries also. The amount of rain or heavy snow would affect the agricultural pattern in those regions.
We may not be employed with the weather department, but that is not an excuse why we should not know about the variance in meaning. We will find it an issue while speaking to a knowledgeable person. In this article, we will talk about whats the difference between weather and climate.
Definition of Weather
Weather is defined as the atmospheric conditions with respect to their effects on life events and human activities within a short time frame. These conditions could be anything like cloudiness, rain, wind, sticky heat, cold temperatures, snow, etc. They can last anywhere from a few minutes to a few days.
To find out the condition of a particular place, it is vital to contemplate facts like the measure of hotness or coldness, humidity, precipitation, wind, clouds, and atmospheric pressure. All of these factors determine if the weather will be fair or not.
On days when it is fair, people are usually free to move around easily and quickly. But on days when it is not, movement may be limited to an extent. This could be a result of severe conditions like thunderstorms, strong wind, snowstorms, and droughts. The difference in the weather vs climate comparison is that the former, as was defined earlier in this section, refers to the behavior of the atmosphere within a short time frame. This is unlike the latter, which has to do with an extended period of time.
Definition of Climate
Climate is defined as the average weather condition in a given geographical area over an extended period of time. It is usually determined by the average measure of hotness or coldness, humidity, precipitation, wind, clouds, and atmospheric pressure in different seasons of several decades or even longer.
Over the years, scientists have carried out different research studies, and they have come to the conclusion that the climates of different geographical locations around the world are gradually changing. This is as a result of alterations in the regular weather patterns.
In the climate vs weather comparison, the establishment of the former takes a reasonable period of time, about 30 years or more, for an actual change to be confirmed. This is not the same as the latter, where change can occur within minutes. Experts that specialize in the study of climate conditions are known as climatologists.
Weather vs Climate Comparison Table
We will now talk about what’s the difference between climate and weather in a tabular form.
| Basis of Comparison | Weather | Climate |
| Meaning | It is the data about the variance in atmospheric conditions in the short run like the current day, or the week | It is the information about the patterns of the weather over a longer span of time; like a decade or 25 years, etc. |
| What it is? | The changes in atmospheric conditions over a shorter span of time | Average weather for that region |
| How does it vary? | Usually varies quickly | Does not differ much other than a very long span of time |
| What is the study called? | Meteorology | Climatology |
| Effects | Can slow down movement and may have side effects on farm crops | Can affect the type of plants and animals that can survive in an area and also determine cultural practices, identity, and resources |
| Regularity of change | Within minutes or more | Can take as long as 30 years |
| Influenced by | Temperature, humidity, precipitation, wind, clouds, and atmospheric pressure | Average weather conditions over decades |
Conclusion of the Main Difference Between Weather vs Climate
We had been talking about the difference between weather and climate. We see that they mean almost the same except for subtle variance in their meaning. It cannot be used in the wrong context as it will lead to an entirely separate meaning.
While the weather is used to depict the change in the atmospheric conditions over a short span of time; the climate measures the same for a very long span of time. We would by now know what’s the difference between weather and climate. The factors that cause the changes are the same, but it would take a longer time to have an effect on the climate.
