Weather and climate

Weather is the condition of the atmosphere at a particular place over a short period of time, whereas climate refers to the weather pattern, using statistical data, of a place over a long enough period to yield meaningful averages.[1][2] Climatology studies climatic change, and is an atmospheric science.

Climate is an important element because it indicates the atmospheric condition of heat, moisture and circulation; it plays a dominant role in shaping vegetation and soil; and it ultimately affects all forms of life, as a result of the very definition of the word, which is a scientific prediction, based on evidentiary statistics, sustained over a long period.

There are many elements that make up both the weather and the climate of a geographical location. The most significant of these elements are temperature, atmospheric pressure, wind, solar irradiance, humidity, precipitation,condensation and topography. The greatest influence of climatic change is associated with not only natural, but also artificial factors, which can be measured in terms of both short-term and long-term climate change.In simple language it is the long time condition of any large area.

Modifying factors

The most important factors affecting climate are latitude, altitude, distance from the ocean and sea, orientation of mountain ranges toward prevailing winds, and the ocean current.

Latitude is how far a place is north or south of the equator.[3] Latitude affects climate in many ways. When a place has a high latitude or it's far from the equator it will receive less sunlight than places at low latitudes which are closer to the equator;[4] thus affecting the climate. From a latitude of 66.5N (N for north) to the North Pole constitutes as the Arctic, while a latitude of 66.5S (S for south) to the South Pole is the Antarctic.[5] Places within these areas classify as arctic climate zones and are covered in snow and ice all year round.[6] This is due to their distance from the equator and how few sunlight theses places receive. Between a latitude of 23.5S and 23.5N is the tropical climate; a tropical bit of land and sea that goes around the globe on both sides of the equator.[7] The tropic climate does not consist of the hottest temperatures however, because it is surrounded by oceans.[8] But the temperatures are much warmer than that of the arctic climate.The temperate climate is between the arctic climate and the tropical climate zones and these places may experience more tropical climate (warmer weather) or a more arctic climate (cooler weather) or a mix of the both.   

See also

References
  1. Arthur Newell Strahler (1960). Physical Geography. New York: John Wiley & Sons, Second Edition, p. 185
  2. F. J. Monkhouse (1978). A Dictionary of Geography. London: Edward Arnold (Publishers) Ltd.
  3. "CK12-Foundation". flexbooks.ck12.org. Retrieved 2020-11-24.
  4. Gardiner, Lisa (May 18, 2004). "Climate Changes with Latitude". Windows To The Universe.
  5. "Latitude & Climate Zones". The Environmental Literacy Council. Retrieved 2020-11-24.
  6. "Latitude & Climate Zones". The Environmental Literacy Council. Retrieved 2020-11-24.
  7. "Latitude & Climate Zones". The Environmental Literacy Council. Retrieved 2020-11-24.
  8. "Latitude & Climate Zones". The Environmental Literacy Council. Retrieved 2020-11-24.
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