Video:What Is Climate?
with Matt RosenbergFind out all you need to know about climate, and what the major differences are between climate and weather.See Transcript
Transcript:What Is Climate?
Differences Between Weather and ClimateClimate is defined as the average weather patterns existing throughout several years over a large portion of Earth's surface. Usually, climate is measured for a specific area or region based on weather patterns over a 30-35 year time period. Climate therefore varies from weather because weather is concerned only with short term events. A simple way to remember the distinction between the two is the saying, "Climate is what you expect, but weather is what you get."
How Climate Is Measured
Since climate is composed of long-term average weather patterns, it encompasses the average measurements of various meteorological elements like humidity, atmospheric pressure, wind, precipitation and temperature. Earth's climate is also composed of a system consisting of its atmosphere, oceans, land masses and topography, ice and biosphere. Each of these is a part of the climate system for their ability to influence long-range weather patterns. Scientists determine the modern climate record through measurements taken via thermometers, barometers and anemometers.
What Is Climate Change?
Today, climate change is mainly to describe the changes occurring in modern climate such as an increase in sea surface temperatures and global warming.
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