Physical Geography · StudentHub Lesson
Weather and climate
The difference between weather and climate and what controls them.
16 minBeginner
01
What you will learn
- Distinguish weather from climate
- Name the elements of weather
- Explain factors affecting climate
- Read a climate graph
- Describe major climate zones
02
Watch the lesson
We haven’t confirmed a lesson video that matches this topic closely enough yet, so the notes below are the lesson for now. A recommended video will be added once we’ve checked one properly.
03
Topic notes
Main Idea
Weather is the day-to-day condition of the atmosphere; climate is the average weather of a place over a long period, usually 30 years.
Key Concepts
- Weather elements include temperature, precipitation, wind, humidity and pressure
- Latitude affects how much solar energy a place receives
- Altitude: temperature falls with height
- Distance from the sea affects temperature range
- Climate graphs show average temperature (line) and rainfall (bars)
Definitions
- Weather: Short-term atmospheric conditions at a place.
- Climate: Long-term average weather patterns of a region.
- Latitude: Distance north or south of the Equator.
Common Mistakes
- Using weather and climate interchangeably
- Thinking one cold day disproves a warm climate
- Forgetting altitude's effect on temperature
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Key concepts
Weather elements include temperature, precipitation, wind, humidity and pressureLatitude affects how much solar energy a place receivesAltitude: temperature falls with heightDistance from the sea affects temperature rangeClimate graphs show average temperature (line) and rainfall (bars)
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Important terms
- Weather
- Short-term atmospheric conditions at a place.
- Climate
- Long-term average weather patterns of a region.
- Latitude
- Distance north or south of the Equator.
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Quick revision
- Weather = short-term
- Climate = 30-year average
- Latitude, altitude, distance from sea
- Climate graph: line for temperature, bars for rain
- Zones: tropical, dry, temperate, polar
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Check your understanding
Question 1 · Multiple choice
Climate is usually averaged over how many years?
Question 2 · Short answer
What happens to temperature as altitude increases?
Question 3 · True or false
A rainy afternoon describes the climate of a place.
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