CLIMATE VS. WEATHER

What’s the Difference?

Climate or Weather? Weather is the daily

conditions of the atmosphere.

Weather changes day to day.

Weather = one day

Example: 54°, partly cloudy, with light rain

Example: 23°, sunny, and dry

Climate is the average weather over a long period of time.

Climate doesn’t change much from year to year.

Climate = one year

For example, Kentucky’s climate includes: cold, wet winters hot, dry summers mild, wet spring and

fall

What Affects Climate?Factor 1: Nearness to WaterBeing close to water makes an area more humid and increases the wind in the area. This could lead to up and down temperatures anddifferent precipitation.

Factor 2: WindMore wind in an area means weather that changes more often.

What Affects Climate?

Factor 3: MountainsMountains can blockthe wind and precipitation fromentering the area. Sometimes this can create a dry, desertarea.

What Affects Climate?

Factor 4: AltitudeAltitude is how high abovesea level a place is. An areafound in high altitude hasdrier air and cooler temps , which means:• low humidity• less precipitation• more sunshine• dry weather

What Affects Climate?Factor 5: Latitude• How far away from the equator is this area? The farther away an area it is, the less direct sunlight it receives. • This means cooler temperatures.• Kentucky is in a middle latitude, so we have mild temperatures.