Weather Versus Climate

Would you think about the weather or the climate?

You have decided to plan out what you’re going to wear each day this week.

• Weather

• Climate

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

Would you think about the weather or the climate?

What a crazy day! When you woke up it was nice and sunny outside, around noon it started getting a little cloudy and now there’s a full out thunderstorm out there!

• Weather

• Climate

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

It's raining today. This is an example of ________________.

• climate

• weather

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

It's hot today. This is an example of ________________.

• climate

• weather

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

What is the main difference between weather and climate?

• Weather describes daily atmospheric conditions, while climate is the average of those conditions over longer periods.

• Weather can be predicted accurately, but climate cannot.

• Climate influences weather, but not vice versa.

• Weather is studied by meteorologists, whereas climate is studied by climatologists only.

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Explain why coastal regions often have milder climates than inland areas.

• Coastal regions receive more sunlight.

• Large bodies of water moderate temperature changes.

• Coastal regions are closer to the equator.

• Inland areas have more vegetation.

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DOK Level 2: Skill/Concept

Design a year-long project to analyze the effect of seasonal changes on the local climate.

• Measure only the highest daily temperature.

• Collect daily weather data, including temperature, precipitation, and wind speed, and analyze changes.

• Focus solely on interviewing people about how they feel about the weather.

• Only take pictures of the sky each day.

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DOK Level 4: Extended Thinking

Why might a meteorologist be interested in studying climate as well as weather?

• To predict daily weather conditions only.

• To understand long-term trends that might influence daily weather patterns.

• Because they study space weather.

• To focus solely on recording temperatures.

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DOK Level 2: Skill/Concept

What instrument is commonly used to measure temperature, an aspect of weather?

• Barometer

• Anemometer

• Thermometer

• Hygrometer

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DOK Level 1: Recall

Predict how the weather might change if a cold front is approaching your city.

• The temperature will likely increase.

• There will be no change in the weather.

• The temperature will likely decrease, possibly with precipitation.

• It will become significantly drier.

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DOK Level 3: Strategic Thinking