Weather vs. Climate

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What is the difference between weather and climate?

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Weather refers to the short-term atmospheric conditions in a specific place at a specific time, while climate refers to the long-term average of weather patterns in a particular area over a long period.

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What does 'climate' mean?

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Climate is the average weather conditions in a region over a long period, typically 30 years or more.

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

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What does 'weather' mean?

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Weather is the day-to-day state of the atmosphere in a place, including factors like temperature, humidity, precipitation, and wind.

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What is an example of weather?

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An example of weather is a sunny day with a temperature of 75 degrees Fahrenheit.

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What is an example of climate?

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An example of climate is the average temperature of 60 degrees Fahrenheit in San Francisco over the year.

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How does climate affect the environment?

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Climate affects the environment by influencing the types of vegetation, animal life, and weather patterns in a region.

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

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What is a climate zone?

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A climate zone is a region of the Earth that has a specific climate, such as tropical, arid, temperate, or polar.

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

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What factors influence climate?

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Factors that influence climate include latitude, altitude, proximity to oceans, and prevailing winds.

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What is the significance of average temperatures in climate?

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Average temperatures help define the climate of a region and indicate what types of weather patterns can be expected.

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What is humidity?

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Humidity is the amount of water vapor present in the air, which can affect both weather and climate.

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