Difference between Weather and Climate

We are aware of terms like weather, climate, temperature, etc. But we do not know the exact meaning and difference between weather and climate. We have always thought that weather and climate are the same things. But it is not so. Weather is different from climate. Well, the weather is defined as the condition of the atmosphere wherein cold, heat, rain, dryness, etc., is counted. The weather can be sunny for a minute and cloudy in the next minute. The changes in weather are instant. For instance, in Kedarnath, the weather changes instantly. The change in the instant weather led to the Kedarnath tragedy in the year 2013.

On the other hand, the climate is defined as the average weather that is given by the weather department for a long period of time. Climate changes systematically, and a particular department can give the report based on the systematic and seasonal change in the climate. For instance, in the winter season, one can expect snow in Shimla. This is how the report about climate is given by the Indian Meteorological Department.

Both weather and climate are different from each other in certain aspects. So, let us look at some of the differences regarding the same.

So, these are some of the fundamental differences between weather and climate. Weather and climate differ in several aspects. Out of these aspects, the primary difference between them is the duration. The weather changes within a short period of time, i.e., minutes, hours, or days, whereas the climate changes over a long period of time (30-40 years). Well, there are six types of climate. Let us discuss them further.

1. Tropical: The tropical regions include humid zones. The average temperature of the tropical regions is around 65 degrees. The precipitation of these regions varies from 50-60 inches. The tropical regions include South America, South Africa, and South Asia. Tropical areas have diversified plants and animals.
2. Polar: As the name suggests, Polar Regions are cold and dry. The South Pole is one of the important examples of the Polar Regions. No plants grow in such areas, and very few animals are found here, namely polar bears, whales, penguins, etc.
3. Temperate: These regions are said to be neutral, i.e., they have cold winters and mild summers. North America and Europe are the primary examples of these regions. The plants found here are maple, oak, willow, etc., and the animals found are birds, rabbits, squirrels, etc. Flora and fauna are richly diversified.
4. Arid: Arid zones are like tropical zones, i.e., they are hot and humid throughout the year. Central Asia, Australia, and North Africa experience the arid climate. Only shrubs are found in such regions. The animals found here are reptiles, insects, and predatory animals.
5. Mediterranean: The Mediterranean climate includes very mild winters and dry/ hot summers. Southern California is the prime example of this kind of climate. Small shrubs can be seen in these areas, along with snakes, rodents, and hawks.
6. Tundra: As the name suggests, the regions having the tundra climate are very cold. Mountains are examples of this. The plant life is quite low in these areas, and animals like foxes, wolves, bears, squirrels are found here.

So, these are the six kinds of climate. The changes in the above-mentioned regions happen after a very long period of time. Well, apart from the types of climate, there are five types of weather.

1. Sunny: Sunny weather is seen in the Southern areas. The weather is hot, humid, and dry.
2. Cloudy: When the sunlight is nowhere to be seen, and the clouds gather and cover the sky, the weather is said to be cloudy.
3. Windy: Windy weather can be observed in any part of the country. Well, it is interesting to note that windy weather is helpful in generating electricity through windmills.
4. Snowy: Well, as the name suggests, snowy weather means the regions wherein there is snow all the time. Places like Shimla, Mussoorie, etc., experience snowfall in the month of December and January.
5. Rainy: After the cloudy weather, a particular region is set to have rain. Rains help in agriculture and make the weather mild and cool. Rainy weather can be observed in any part, but Mumbai, Mawsynram, Cherrapunji, etc., experiences a very high amount of rainfall.

So, these are the five kinds of weather. The weather can change at any point in time. That is why we have departments which tell us about the change in weather. Weather and climate are different from each other. The points of differences are given above. The fundamental difference between them is of duration, i.e., the duration within which the weather changes is short, whereas the duration within which the climate changes is long. Thus, both weather and climate differ in their own sense, and both have varied effects upon the atmosphere and environment.