Even though both Weather and Climate are relatively similar and easy to understand, understanding the difference between the two is slightly complex. Before we dive into the blog’s main agenda, the question that arises is; why is it important to understand the difference between Climate and Weather?
Global warming and the change in climate are topics that have been trending in the news for years now, and scientists are constantly researching and showcasing their rising concern over these issues. The rising temperature of the atmosphere is a phenomenon that is becoming alarming by the second. Over the years, the changes in the climate have affected society in disruptive ways. Scientists predict calamities like heat waves and large storms are likely to get more frequent due to climate change.
In definition, Climate is defined as weather conditions over a long period of time and space. Its average duration of being observed is 30 years. It describes larger areas like cities/countries, and its records are maintained by the concerned centers of a particular place. Different places have different climates, which depends on a variety of factors like rainfall, changing seasons, temperature, humidity, precipitation, etc.
On the other hand, weather refers to the short-term conditions of any place, any day or any time. It can vary over minutes, hours, and days according to the different places in the world. The troposphere is the closest to the ground, and that is where changes in the weather are normally observed. The weather of a particular place can be predicted through factors like direction, temperature, air pressure etc.
Weather and Climate are often used in the same conversation but can be a bit confusing too. Even though they are interrelated, the difference between the two is significant. In the simplest of terms, the main difference between the two phenomena is the duration. While Climate is more or less the average weather status of a specific place over a long period of time, the Weather refers to the short-term changes in the environment. It can be used in our day-to-day conversation about the atmosphere and how it is changing.
To understand better, we have come up with a list of important differences between the two terms. To better understand trending and alarming issues like Global Warming and Rising Temperatures, the foundation is to realise the difference between Climate and Weather.
What are they affected by?
The climate consists of factors like sunshine, wind, rain, humidity, temperature etc. More or less, the climate is made of long-term observations of the environment and atmosphere at a specific location.
The weather is affected by multiple ranges of factors like pressure, cloudiness, temperature, wind, flooding, humidity, precipitation, cloudiness, and much more. While sometimes it can be just one of these factors, mostly it is a combination of all.
What do they affect?
Climate has more long-term and deadly effects. Since climate change has been a concern for many years now, it has significantly affected people’s livelihood and will continue to affect even more in the future. Agriculture and Industries are two major sectors affected by climate.
Weather usually affects day-to-day routine and chores. Sometimes, we do not know till the very last what weather has in store for us. It can hamper transportation, daily plans, agriculture, public services etc.
Whom are they studied by?
The study of climate is known as climatology, and a reputable and recognised organisation known as the Climate Prediction Centre predicts climate.
The study of weather is known as Meteorology and is observed by the Meteorological Department in short spans of time. Different locations have different departments.
How are the changes in both observed?
The climate takes a long time to change, and even though the departments are at work around the clock, its changes come to notice after a longer period of time. Even though the climate is constantly changing, significant observations take time.
The weather condition changes frequently and so can be observed over short spans of time. In fact, sometimes, it can just be a matter of minutes before you observe a new change.
In conclusion, the weather has its effect for a few minutes/hours, whereas climate change lasts for a longer time and has more long-lasting effects.
Today, scientists worldwide are trying to understand both of these phenomena better and wrap their heads around what the Earth has in store for the future. Unfortunately, the studies show a wide variety of predictions, and it will take a while before scientists and researchers reach a common consensus.
Now that you have understood how both Climate and Weather work, you are ready to understand, research, and deep dive into major issues like climate change, rising temperatures, global warming etc.
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References-
- “Difference between weather and climate” Rachna C., June 30th, 2019. https://biodifferences.com/difference-between-weather-and-climate.html#KeyDifferences
- NASA – What’s the Difference Between Weather and Climate? NASA, February 1st, 2005. https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/noaa-n/climate/climate_weather.html