What is the difference between weather and climate?

The difference between weather and climate revolves around the time frame and scope of atmospheric conditions involved. Weather refers to the short-term atmospheric conditions in a specific area, covering aspects such as temperature, humidity, precipitation, wind, and visibility over a matter of minutes to days. It describes what's happening in the atmosphere at a given point in time, making it highly variable and subject to rapid changes.

In contrast, climate represents the long-term statistical average of weather patterns over extended periods, typically 30 years or more, within a specific region. It provides insights into expected weather conditions over time and informs us about patterns of seasons and extreme events.

This distinction is crucial for understanding various phenomena related to atmospheric sciences, as it helps clarify how immediate conditions differ from broader trends in weather behavior.