So what is the difference between weather and climate? Due to my lack of knowledge and understanding of the weather and climate I decided to go right back to basics with a simple definition search in 'Google'.
The difference between weather and climate is a measure of time. Weather is what conditions of the atmosphere are over a short period of time, whereas climate is how the atmosphere behaves over relatively long periods of time.
Climate in particular is the change in long-term averages of the daily weather a region experiences. Children in schools today will undoubtedly hear and be aware of stories told by their grandparents, teachers and parents of the colder and harsher winters they encountered and how summers have become hotter: this therefore all indicates a possible change in climate. Climate can alter over time and place.
In addition to long-term climate change, there are also shorter term climate variations. Such 'so-called' climate variability can be represented by periodic or intermittent changes related to El Nino, La Nina, volcanic eruptions, or other changes in the Earth system.
There are various components to the weather:
- sunshine
- rain
- cloud cover
- wind
- snow
- sleet
- freezing rain
- thunderstorms
- blizzards
- steady rains from a cold front or warm front
- heat waves etc.
Therefore, it can be summarised that the weather takes into account the temperature, precipitation, humidity and
atmospheric pressure of the part of atmosphere (air) closest to the surface of the earth.
atmospheric pressure of the part of atmosphere (air) closest to the surface of the earth.
The weather in the UK is constantly changing as temperature and humidity change in the atmosphere.
The science of monitoring and studying the atmosphere and predicting its weather and climate is called meteorology.
A lesson starter that would be effective for this topic is for students to fill in the gaps in the paragraph. For Key stage 3 I would give the students a list of the missing words, however, for Key stage 4 I would see if they were able to do the task with little help or guidance.
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