How to Compare the Weather & Climate

Rainy weather won't grow a forest in the desert, but a shift in its climate could.

Weather and climate have the power to affect every aspect of our lives. Contrary to popular belief, weather and climate are not the same. Weather is the temporary state of an area's atmosphere, while climate is the long-term average of an area's weather. Snow, rain and temperature are features of a day's weather, yet they can only offer clues to an area's climate.

Temperature

Weather refers to a relatively short time period. This week's temperature in Antarctica could be hotter than normal, but that doesn't mean Antarctica is a hot climate. The climate of Antarctica is usually quite cold and a week of warm weather won't change that.

Precipitation

Precipitation is the amount of rain an area receives. The difference between a rainy climate and rainy weather is how much precipitation occurs over a long period of time. The weatherman could indicate that your area will be having wet weather tomorrow, even if you live in a desert climate.

Snow

Snowfall is a good way to determine if an area has a cold climate. High altitude inland climates that are located away from moderating oceans tend to experience heavy snowfall and long winters. However, snow can fall in arid climates like Southern California and Nevada. The classification stays the same, regardless of how much snow falls, and this is the key to understanding the difference between climate and weather.

References

• NASA: What's the Difference Between Weather and Climate?