WEATHER AND CLIMATE

The weather is the state or condition of the atmosphere at any time, including things such as
temperature, precipitation, air pressure and cloud cover. Daily changes in the weather are due to
winds and storms. Seasonal changes are due to the Earth revolving around the sun.

Climate is the average weather or atmospheric condition usually taken over a 30-year time period
for a particular region and time period. Climate is not the same as weather, but rather, it is the
average pattern of weather for a particular region. Weather describes the short-term state of the
atmosphere. Thus, the main difference between weather and climate is the amount of time
atmospheric condition is observed. While weather refers to present condition, climate refers to the
atmospheric condition in the long run.
Meteorologists study the weather and make predictions about the weather by measuring the air
pressure, wind direction, wind speed, amount and type of precipitation and many other things.

INSTRUMENTS FOR MEASURING THE WEATHER

 A THERMOMETER measures the air temperature.

 A BAROMETER measures air pressure. It tells you whether or not the pressure is rising or
falling. An Italian scientist named Torricelli built the first barometer in 1643.
 A RAIN GAUGE measures the amount of rain that has fallen over a specific time period.
 A WIND VANE is an instrument that determines the direction from which the wind is
blowing.
 An ANEMOMETER measures wind speed.
 A HYGROMETER measures the water vapour content of air or the humidity.

NOTE THESE IMPORTANT POINTS

 Wind speed is measured in knots.

 Dew point is the temperature at which water vapour condenses into droplets.