PHYS 1130 - Introduction to Meteorology
Chapter 1. Earth and Its Atmosphere
In this section, we look at the differences between Weather and Climate.
Reading
Chapter 1, “Weather and Climate” pages 17-26
Instruction
Weather: Statements of what is/was happening in our atmosphere at a specific time or place
It is hot outside.
The wind was very strong last night.
The snow was 7 inches deep on January 11 last year.
Climate: Statements of what is/was happening in our atmosphere over a range of time or over a larger area
Summer is generally hot
We had 7.6 inches of rain throughout last year
We are currently in a dry spell
Our record high temperature is 108*F
Climate statements are general statements, and may not indicate what is happening at a specific time.
“In Florida, summer rainstorms generally come at 3:00pm.”
This is a climate statement and isn’t a guarantee that it will rain at 3:00pm today.
Review Questions
Determine whether each of the following is a statement of weather or of climate.
“Over the past century, global average temperatures have increased due to climate change.”
After solving on your own, check the
“It rained heavily in Denver yesterday afternoon.”
After solving on your own, check the
“Yesterday’s high temperature was 97*F at Snow College, the hottest of the month so far.”
After solving on your own, check the
## Question 1.1.1
1. "Over the past century, global average temperatures have increased due to climate change."
We are talking about temperatures both over a large area and over a large period of time. Therefore, __this is a statement of climate__.
## Question 1.1.2
2. "It rained heavily in Denver yesterday afternoon."
In this case, we are talking about weather at a specific time (yesterday afternoon) and a specific place (Denver). Therefore, __this is a statement of weather__.
## Question 1.1.3
3. "Yesterday's high temperature at Snow College was 97*F, the hottest of the month so far."
This is actually both.
* "Yesterday's high temperature at Snow College was 97*F" indicates a specific time (yesterday) and a specific place (Snow College). So, this is a statement of weather.
* "...the hottest of the month so far" compares the weather statement just made to all temperatures over a large period of time (the month). So, this is a statement of climate.
So, this sentence has __one element that is about weather__ and __another element that is about climate__.