Main Difference – Climate vs Weather
The two terms climate and weather are often confused by many people. The main difference between climate and weather is that weather is the short term condition of a particular place whereas climate is the weather pattern of a place over a long period. Therefore, the difference between climate and weather is the time.
What is Climate
Climate is the weather pattern of a particular place over a long period. This is usually measured over a 30 year period. It is the average of the weather. It is affected by factors like temperature, humidity, pressure, the wind, and rain. Altitude and latitude of a place and the water bodies near a place also affect the climate of a place. The term climate change refers to the changes in the weather pattern over a long term of time. Climate is forecasted by collective weather statistics over a long period of time. The study of climate is known as climatology. Climate of a region is also generated by the climate system. The climate system consists of five components: atmosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere, lithosphere, and biosphere.
What is Weather
Weather is the short-term conditions of the atmosphere in a particular place. Weather is basically what you see outside on any particular day. Weather can change from minute to minute, hour to hour or daily. Rain, sunshine, cloud, winds, snow, fog, etc. are common weather patterns. Natural disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes, typhoons, and ice storms, etc. are also effects of weather. Weather is mostly affected by temperature, air pressure, and moisture differences between places.
Weather is forecasted by collecting meteorological data like humidity, temperature, air pressure, wind directions, and speed, etc. The study of weather is known as meteorology.
Difference Between Climate and Weather
Definition
Climate is the weather pattern of a particular place over a long period.
Weather is the short-term conditions of the atmosphere in a particular place.
Measurement
Climate is measured over a long period of time.
Weather is measured over a short period of time.
Factors that Affect Climate and Weather
Climate is affected by atmosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere, lithosphere, and biosphere, as well as altitude and latitude.
Weather is affected by temperature, air pressure, and moisture, etc.
Forecast
Climate forecasted by collective weather statistics over a long period of time.
Weather is forecasted by collecting meteorological data like humidity, temperature, air pressure, wind directions, and speed, etc.
Study
The study of climate is known as climatology.
The study of weather is known as meteorology.
Image Courtesy:
“Cumulus mediocris cloud” By Lipton sale at English Wikipedia, (CC BY 3.0) via Commons Wikipedia
“Worldwide climate classifications” Original uploader :Waitak Later version(s): Splette at en.wikipedia. – Transferred from en.wikipedia by Legoktm (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikipedia
