Weather vs Climate
Distinguish between weather and climate: weather is what the atmosphere is doing right now or today (it can change hour to hour), while climate is the typical pattern of weather in a place over many years
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“If someone said 'It's raining today so climate change isn't real,' could your child explain the difference between weather (today's conditions) and climate (patterns over many years)?”
Full guide and materials
- Activity. Distinguish between weather and climate: weather is what the atmosphere is doing right now or today (it can change hour to hour), while climate is the typical pattern of weather in a place over many years
What to notice. Define weather as short-term atmospheric conditions • Define climate as the long-term pattern of weather in a place • Give an example showing the difference: a cold day doesn't change the overall climate
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If someone said 'It's raining today so climate change isn't real,' could your child explain the difference between weather (today's conditions) and climate (patterns over many years)?
Distinguish between weather and climate: weather is what the atmosphere is doing right now or today (it can change hour to hour), while climate is the typical pattern of weather in a place over many years
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Check understanding
- Define weather as short-term atmospheric conditions
- Define climate as the long-term pattern of weather in a place
- Give an example showing the difference: a cold day doesn't change the overall climate
“If someone said 'It's raining today so climate change isn't real,' could your child explain the difference between weather (today's conditions) and climate (patterns over many years)?”
Curriculum record
- Type
- Conceptual
- Subject
- Science
- Domain
- Weather & Climate
- Age range
- Ages 7–9