Climate vs. Weather

People often mix up weather and climate, but they are different. Weather is what is happening outside right now or this week. Climate is the pattern of weather in a place over a long time, usually 30 years or more. A place can have a cold day even if its climate is warm.

Weather Changes Fast

Weather can change from hour to hour and day to day. It might be sunny in the morning and rainy by afternoon. Weather includes temperature, rain, wind, and clouds for a short time. A weather forecast tells you what to expect in the next few days.

Climate Changes Slowly

Climate is the average weather over many years. It tells you what a place is usually like. Florida has a warm, humid climate. Alaska has a cold climate. Climate helps determine what plants grow and what animals live in a place. Climate changes happen slowly over decades or centuries.

Fun Facts

• Scientists often say: weather is what you wear today, climate is what is in your closet.
• Climate data is usually averaged over 30-year periods.
• Antarctica has the coldest climate on Earth, with temperatures reaching minus 128 degrees Fahrenheit.

Did You Know?

Earth's climate has changed many times throughout history. Long ago, areas that are now deserts were once covered in forests, and places that are now tropical were once covered in ice!