Weather vs. Climate

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What is weather?

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Weather refers to the short-term atmospheric conditions in a specific place at a specific time, including factors like temperature, humidity, precipitation, and wind.

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Front

What is climate?

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Climate is the long-term average of weather patterns in a particular area over a significant period, typically 30 years or more.

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

NGSS.MS-ESS3-5

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Is rain today an example of weather or climate?

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Weather

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

Front

Is the average temperature of a region an example of weather or climate?

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Climate

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Front

What factors are included in weather?

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Weather includes temperature, humidity, precipitation, wind speed, and atmospheric pressure.

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

Front

What factors are included in climate?

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Climate includes average temperature, average precipitation, and seasonal variations over a long period.

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Front

If it is sunny today, is that weather or climate?

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Weather

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

Front

If a region has an average of 100 inches of rain per year, is that weather or climate?

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Climate

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What does it mean if a place has a 'dry climate'?

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It means that the area typically receives very little precipitation over a long period.

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What is an example of a weather event?

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A thunderstorm occurring on a summer afternoon.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5