Weather Versus Climate

Nicholas is teaching his little brother about the similarities and differences between

weather and climate. How are the concepts of weather and climate different?

• Weather

  refers to conditions nearer to the ground than

  climate

  does.

• Climate

  is related to the amount of sunlight;

  weather

  is not.

• Weather conditions include precipitation, but climate conditions do not.

• Climate

  covers larger areas and longer times than

  weather

  .

The kinds of data that reflect climate are different from the conditions described in

weather data. Which of the following is

not

a description of climate?

• Annual rainfall is close to 42 inches in Portland, Oregon.

• Summers are usually mild in Lansing, Michigan.

• Last week it rained every day in San Antonio, Texas.

• Winters are usually overcast in Seattle, Washington.

Brianna is looking for a map to help her determine her outfits for the week. She knows

that climate and weather maps are different and must choose the correct one. A map

of which of the following would be used in the study of climate?

• Number of sunny days per year in northern Africa

• Location of current rains in southeast Nebraska

• Path of a hurricane in the Gulf over a week

• Position of a cold front yesterday outside Detroit, Michigan

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

The Sun is the key driving force of weather and climate.

Which of the following is true

regarding how weather and climate compare?

• Weather

  refers to conditions nearer to the ground;

  climate

  refers to conditions

  in the atmosphere.

• Climate

  refers to conditions over long periods of time;

  weather

  refers to

  conditions over short periods of time.

• Weather

  refers to conditions in the atmosphere;

  climate

  refers to conditions

  nearer to the ground.

• Climate

  refers to conditions over short periods of time;

  weather

  refers to

  conditions over long periods of time.

Weather data is different from climate data. Which of the following is an example of

weather data?

• The average high temperature in May is 21°C in the Midwest of the United

  States.

• Central Australia usually receives less than 110 mm of rainfall all year.

• The relative humidity was 24% at noon on July 23 in Tempe, Arizona.

• On average, there is 88 mm of rain in the Gulf Coast region in July.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

Mr. Hernandez shows two different maps to the class and explains how they each

show different data. One map shows weather patterns, and the other shows climate

patterns.

Which of the following maps would be used in the study of weather as

opposed to climate?

• Position of a cold front yesterday in Detroit, Michigan

• Location of annual rainfall in northern Kansas

• Path of average cold fronts over the Gulf in a year

• Number of sunny days per year in northern Africa

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

Scientists studying climate collect data that is slightly different from the data collected

by those interested in weather. What is different about the data collected about

climate?

• It requires more-specialized equipment than weather data.

• Climate focuses on conditions only in the upper atmosphere.

• It refers to longer times and wider areas than weather data.

• Climate does not include information about air temperature.

Climate is one of Florida’s most important natural resources, which is why it is

nicknamed The Sunshine State. Which of the following is true of weather compared

with climate?

• Weather and climate both refer to the daily environmental conditions we

  experience around us.

• Earth is divided into distinct weather zones that are created by global

  circulation patterns.

• Weather refers to the average conditions in a place over a long period of

  time.

• All weather is caused by the Sun heating Earth unevenly, creating high-

  and low-pressure air masses.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

The kinds of data that reflect climate are different from the conditions described in

weather data. Which of the following is a description of climate?

• Today it is hot and sunny in Phoenix, Arizona.

• Summers are usually mild in Lansing, Michigan.

• Last week it rained every day in San Antonio, Texas.

• Yesterday was cold and windy in Anchorage, Alaska.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Florida is known for long, very warm summers with high humidity. Which of the

following is a description of weather in Florida?

• Daily thunderstorms are very common in Florida.

• South Florida has a tropical savanna ecosystem.

• Florida has a brief annual summer rainfall season.

• North Florida is known for its humidity.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5