Climate vs. Weather
Though some believe them to be interchangeable terms, there are drastic differences between "climate" and "weather." While weather refers to the natural events happening in the atmosphere each day, including the temperature and rainfall, climate encompasses the average pattern of weather in a specific region over multiple years. For example, a hurricane may occur in both Florida and Connecticut (weather), but Florida is overall much hotter than Connecticut (climate).
Weathering Climate's Affects
There are several factors that contribute to a region's climate and, therefore, weather on a given day, above all proximity to a large area of water. Because land and water are capable of retaining different amounts of heat; land heats faster than water, but water retains heat longer. Those living near the water will therefore experience breezy weather, for example, when the warm air from the land heats the atmosphere, rising into the cooler air from the water and making for a windy climate.
Location, Location, Location
Climates and weather are also affected by Earth's orientation. Because Earth is tilted, we experience seasons as one hemisphere leans toward the sun when the other leans away. Though the climates of the Earth's regions remain no matter the season (either tropical, temperate or polar), the weather is affected profusely. Tropical regions usually have higher rainfall than the latter two, temperate climates experience four seasons, and the two polar caps are very cold with snow as opposed to rain.
Tags: land heats, Location Location
