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 significant period.

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

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What does the term 'climate' refer to?

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Climate refers to the long-term average of weather conditions, including temperature, humidity, precipitation, and wind patterns, typically measured over 30 years or more.

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Front

What does the term 'weather' refer to?

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Weather refers to the day-to-day state of the atmosphere at a particular place and time, including factors like temperature, precipitation, and wind.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

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How can you determine if a statement is about weather or climate?

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Look for time frames: statements about short-term conditions (hours, days) refer to weather, while those about long-term averages (years, decades) refer to climate.

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What is an example of a weather condition?

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An example of a weather condition is a sunny day with a temperature of 75°F.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

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What is an example of a climate characteristic?

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An example of a climate characteristic is a region that has an average annual temperature of 60°F.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

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How does climate change affect weather patterns?

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Climate change can lead to more extreme weather events, such as increased rainfall, droughts, and heatwaves, altering typical weather patterns.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

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What is the significance of the phrase 'over the past 30 years' in climate discussions?

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The phrase 'over the past 30 years' indicates a long-term trend, which is essential for understanding climate rather than short-term weather fluctuations.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-5

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What role do meteorologists play in understanding weather?

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Meteorologists study and forecast weather conditions, providing information about short-term atmospheric changes and events.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

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What is the impact of urbanization on local weather?

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Urbanization can create 'urban heat islands,' where cities become significantly warmer than surrounding rural areas due to human activities and infrastructure.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-4