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American Museum of Natural History

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What is Climate?

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Climate

What is climate?
Climate is the average weather 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.

What is our climate system?

Atmosphere

The atmosphere covers the Earth. It is a thin layer of mixed gases which make up the air we breathe. This thin layer also helps the Earth from becoming too hot or too cold.

Oceans

Oceans cover about 70 percent of Earth's surface. Their large size and thermal properties allow them to store a lot of heat.

Land

Land covers 27 percent of Earth's surface and land topography influences weather patterns.

Ice

Ice is the world's largest supply of freshwater. It covers the remaining 3 percent of Earth's surface including most of Antarctica and Greenland. Ice plays an important role in regulating climate, because it is highly reflective.

Biosphere

The biosphere is the part of Earth's atmosphere, land, and oceans that supports any living plant, animal, or organism. It is the place where plants and animals, including humans, live.

What is weather?
The weather is just the state 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.

What causes weather?
Because the Earth is round and not flat, the Sun's rays don't fall evenly on the land and oceans. The Sun shines more directly near the equator bringing these areas more warmth. However, the polar regions are at such an angle to the Sun that they get little or no sunlight during the winter, causing colder temperatures. These differences in temperature create a restless movement of air and water in great swirling currents to distribute heat energy from the Sun across the planet. When air in one region is warmer than the surrounding air, it becomes less dense and begins to rise, drawing more air in underneath. Elsewhere, cooler denser air sinks, pushing air outward to flow along the surface and complete the cycle.

Why do mountains affect weather and climate?
There are two sides to a mountain: wayward and leeward. Whenever it is raining, the wayward side gets the rain. As a cloud goes up the mountain, it keeps raining until there is no more water in the cloud. Now, as the cloud starts to go down the other side of the mountain, there is no more precipitation. So, the leeward side of the mountain doesn't get any rain. The flat ground on this side of the mountain is dry and humid. What is the Water Cycle?

Earth has a limited amount of water. So, that water keeps going around. We call it the water cycle. The water cycle begins with evaporation. Evaporation is when the sun heats up water in rivers, lakes or the ocean. Then turns it into water vapor or steam. The water vapor or steam leaves the body of water and goes into the air. Transpiration is the process by which plants lose water out of their leaves. Condensation is when water vapor in the air gets cold and changes back into water to form clouds. Think of it this way, when you open a cold soda on a hot summer day, your soda will start to sweat as water droplets form on the outside of the can. Precipitation occurs when so much water has condensed that the air can't hold it anymore. This is how we get rain or snow. Collection happens when the precipitation falls and is collected back in the oceans, lakes and rivers. When it falls to the ground, it will soak into the earth and become ground water. This is the water cycle and it just keeps repeating.
Click Here to learn more about the Earth's water cycle.

Why do we have seasons?

As the Earth spins on its axis, producing night and day, it also moves about the Sun in an elliptical (elongated circle) orbit that requires 365 1/4 days to complete. The Earth's axis is tilted at 23.5 degrees and is why we have seasons. When the Earth's axis points towards the Sun, it is summer for that hemisphere. When the Earth's axis points away, winter can be expected.

What is the significance of the Sun to the Earth?
Without the Sun, there would be no weather. Earth is positioned as the third planet, so our temperatures are sustainable for life. The average temperature of Mars is much colder, while Venus is much hotter.

How can you tell what time it is by looking at the Sun?

Why do we get more sunlight in the summer than in the winter?
You might not have noticed this, but the Earth tilts over slightly. If you have a globe at home or in school, you can see that the line between north and south poles, that goes through the center of the Earth, isn't vertical. It's actually tilting over by about 23 degrees. In our summer, the north pole is pointing towards the Sun so the Sun rises and sets roughly from due east to due west. In winter, the Earth is on the other side of the Sun so the North Pole is pointing away from the Sun. This means the Sun rises and sets more towards the southeast and southwest. You might notice this as you look out of the window. Think back to how high in the sky the sun was during the summer. Compare this to where the sun is during the winter and you'll see it's much lower down towards the horizon. Because the sun is lower down on the horizon, there's less time for it to travel between horizons. There's less distance for it to travel so the sun rises later and sets earlier meaning there's less daylight. What is the purpose of the Moon?
Because the sun ALWAYS rises in the east and sets in the west, you can tell the time just by looking at where the sun is. When you look east and the sun is on the horizon that means its approximately 6:00am. When the sun is directly above your head that means its noon. When you look to the west and the sun is on the horizon that means its approximately 6:00pm.

Why do the leaves change color?

The tidal effect of the moon helps to recirculate the oceans and keep them from becoming stagnated. The result of which would be catastrophic for advanced forms of life like humans.

What is Climate Change?
During the spring and summer the leaves have served as factories where most of the foods necessary for the tree's growth are manufactured. This food-making process takes place in the leaf in numerous cells containing chlorophyll, which gives the leaf its green color. Along with the green pigment are yellow to orange to red pigments as well. Most of the year these colors are masked by great amounts of green coloring. But in the fall, because of changes in the length of daylight and changes in temperature, the leaves stop their food-making process. The chlorophyll breaks down, the green color disappears, and the yellow to orange to red colors become visible and give the leaves part of their fall splendor. The best time to enjoy the autumn color would be on a clear, dry, and cool day.

What is Global Warming?
Climate change represents a change in long-term weather patterns. They can become warmer or colder. Annual amounts of rainfall or snowfall can increase or decrease.

Global warming refers to an average increase in the Earth's temperature, which in turn causes changes in climate. A warmer Earth may lead to changes in rainfall patterns, a rise in sea level, and a wide range of impacts on plants, wildlife, and humans. When scientists talk about the issue of climate change, their concern is about global warming caused by human activities . (Graphic Credit: World Almanac Education Group)

Is the Earth getting warmer?

Yes! The Earth has warmed by about 1ºF over the past 100 years. But why? Well, scientists are not exactly sure. The Earth could be getting warmer on its own, but many of the world's leading climate scientists think that things people do are helping to make the Earth warmer.
Click Here to learn more about Global Warming.

What is the Greenhouse Effect?
The greenhouse effect is the rise in temperature that the Earth experiences because certain gases in the atmosphere like water vapor, carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, and methane trap energy from the sun. Without these gases, heat would escape back into space and Earths average temperature would be about 60ºF colder and would not be warm enough for humans to live. But if the greenhouse effect becomes stronger, it could make the Earth warmer than usual. (Graphic Credit: EPA)

Global Warming may be a big problem, but can you make a difference?
Yes! There are several little things you can do to make a difference. Try carpooling. This will help reduce the amount of fossil fuels going into the atmosphere. Whenever you use electricity, you help put greenhouse gases into the air. Turning off lights, the television, and the computer when you are through with them. Also, planting trees is fun and a great way to reduce greenhouse gases. Trees absorb carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, from the air. Finally, don't forget about recycling.

In a normal year, the warmest water is in the far western Pacific. This forms thunderstorms.

(Graphic Credit:
USA TODAY)

In an El Niño year, the warmest water moves eastward across the Pacific. Thunderstorms disrupt the jet stream changing the weather pattern.

What is El Niño?
El Niño is a climate pattern where the water in the Pacific Ocean near the equator gets hotter than usual and affects the atmosphere and weather around the world. El Niño climate conditions occur every few years, and they are not predictable. El Niño is Spanish for The Little Boy. It refers to the Christ child and was named by Mexican fisherman, who noticed the climate pattern often formed around Christmastime.
What type of a climate pattern do we see with an El Niño?
The climate pattern can change the weather of the United States, particularly in California and the southern states. Usually, El Niño brings more rain and higher temperatures. Also, warm ocean currents come farther north and all kinds of tropical fish can be caught in the waters far north along the United States West Coast. El Niño may also bring warmer than normal winter temperatures to the eastern part of the United States.

What is La Niña?
La Niña is sort of the opposite of El Niño. During a La Niña, the water in the same area along the equator gets colder than usual. This, too, affects weather around the globe and in the U.S. According to scientists, La Niña cycles generally create a more active hurricane season in the Atlantic.

What type of climate pattern do we see with La Niña?
In the United States, La Niña is expected to bring above normal temperatures throughout most of the Southwest and southern Florida in the late summer and fall. These warmer conditions will extend across the Southeast during the winter months. Cooler than normal winter temperatures are expected in the Pacific Northwest. Cooler than normal temperatures are also expected across the Great Lakes and Northeast later in the winter into spring. In addition to temperature effects, La Niña is also expected to affect rainfall. Drier than normal conditions will persist in west Texas, New Mexico and Arizona into October. The late fall and early winter forecasts indicate continued dry conditions throughout much of the southern U.S. and into portions of the Midwest. Above normal precipitation is predicted for much of the Pacific Northwest throughout the fall and into the winter months, and in the Ohio and Tennessee River Valley in the winter.

What are the layers of the Earth's atmosphere?
The atmosphere is divided into five layers. It is thickest near the surface and thins out with height until it eventually merges with space.
Troposphere: The troposphere is the first layer above the surface and contains half of Earth's atmosphere. Weather occurs in this layer.

Stratosphere: The stratosphere is the second layer of the Earth's atmosphere. Many airplanes fly in the stratosphere, because it is very stable. Also, the ozone layer absorbs harmful rays from the Sun.

Mesosphere: The mesosphere is the third layer of the Earth's atmosphere. Meteors or rock fragments burn up in the mesosphere.

Thermosphere: The thermosphere is the fourth layer of the Earth's atmosphere. It's the layer with auroras and where the space shuttle orbits.

Exosphere: The exosphere is the fifth and last layer of the Earth's atmosphere. This is the layer where the atmosphere merges into space. This layer is extremely thin .

What is the tropopause? The tropopause is the atmospheric boundary located between the troposphere and stratosphere. Going up from the surface, its the point where air ceases to cool with height and becomes almost completely dry.

What is ozone?
Ozone is a natural gas that is found in two different layers of the atmosphere. In the layer around the Earth's surface, otherwise known as the troposphere, bad ozone dirties the air and helps make smog. The troposphere extends up to the stratosphere layer, where good ozone protects life on Earth by absorbing some of the sun's UV rays. Stratospheric ozone is found most often between six to 30 miles above the Earth's surface.
What is the ozone layer? The ozone layer forms a thin shield high up in the sky and is located in the stratosphere. It protects life on Earth from the sun's ultraviolet rays. In the 1980s, scientists began finding clues that the ozone layer was going away or being depleted. This allows more UV radiation to reach the Earth's surface. This can cause people to have a greater chance of getting too much UV radiation. Too much UV can cause bad health effects like skin cancer, eye damage, and get you sick easier.

What is deforestation?
Deforestation is the cutting down large numbers of trees to use the land for something instead of a forest. Cutting down trees can affect the climate. After rain falls on a forest, mist rises and new rain clouds form. When forests are cut down, this cycle is disrupted, and the area eventually grows drier, causing a change in the local climate. If huge areas of trees are cut down, the carbon dioxide they would have used builds up in the atmosphere and contributes to the greenhouse effect. And without trees to hold the soil and absorb water, rain washes topsoil away, a process called soil erosion.
What is erosion? Erosion is the wearing away of the land by water, ice or wind. Soil erosion is a natural process. It becomes a problem when human activity causes it to occur much faster than under natural conditions. Wind and water are the main agents of soil erosion.

Acid rain is rain, snow or fog that is polluted by acid in the atmosphere and damages the environment. Two common air pollutants acidify rain: sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxide. When these substances are released into the atmosphere, they can be carried over long distances by prevailing winds before returning to earth as acidic rain, snow, fog or dust. When the environment cannot neutralize the acid being deposited, damage occurs. What is acid rain?

Climate Activities

Acid Rain Experiment: Here is a great experiment on acid rain. It lets kids see how destructive acid rain can be to statue and buildings.

Greenhouse Effect Experiment: Ozone Pollution Science Fair Project: Here are some great science fair project ideas to help kids understand ozone pollution and makes them aware of how it is formed.

Science Fair Project Ideas: Here is a complete list of science fair project ideas. Discover the science behind the weather that impacts us every day.

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Weather Wiz Kids weather information for kids

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Weather Wiz Kids is a fun and safe website for kids about all the weather info they need to know. It contains tools for weather education, including weather games, activities, experiments, photos, a glossary and educational teaching materials for the classroom.

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What is weather?

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Defining the Weather

Put very simply, weather is the state of the atmosphere at any given period of time. The atmosphere is made up of the gasses, like oxygen, that surround the Earth. What is happening in the atmosphere is the weather. Weather includes several different factors that we can measure. Have you ever watched the weather forecast on the news or online? What kind of things do they tell us? Most weather forecasts will tell us what the temperature will be, if it's going to rain or snow and whether it will be cloudy or sunny. Those factors combined together to make the weather.

What Causes Weather?

What shape is the Earth? The fact that Earth is round contributes to the weather. The Sun heats up the atmosphere and the Earth, but since the Earth is round, it hits different parts at different times of the day and the year. It also hits at different angles. Areas around the equator get more direct sunlight and are warmer. Areas around the poles get indirect, or angled, sunlight, so they are colder. The Earth is tilted on its axis, giving us the seasons. The different temperatures across the planet as the seasons change cause the atmosphere to move and churn. The movement is what causes wind, clouds, storms and precipitation. Precipitation is moisture that falls to the ground from clouds in the form of rain or snow. The cycle of warm and cold air mixing and churning creates the weather cycle across the globe.

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what is weather? - lesson for kids | study.com

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What is Weather? - Lesson for Kids | Study.com

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Put very simply, weather is the state of the atmosphere at any given period of time. The atmosphere is made up of the gasses, like oxygen, that surround the Earth. What is happening in the atmosphere is the weather. Weather includes several different factors that we can measure.

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Research areas of the world with different climate types.

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Nearly 33% of the Earth's land is covered in Arid climate. The word If land has an Arid climate it is usually a desert. Most deserts are found along the 30 degree latitude line (north and south of the equator). This is due to the pattern of cold water currents, which force dry air over the land. Other Arid climates exist in the center of continents or in the Arid Climate Type
(all measurement in Fahrenheit and inches... sorry rest of the world)
Where is it Usually Located?
arid means dry. The two colors on the map represent warm and cold Arid climates.
rain shadow of large mountain ranges. A rain shadow is land on a side of a mountain that is very dry because the mountain forces warm air higher into the sky, which cools it and it falls as rain, but only on one side of the mountain.

What Seasons Does it Have?

Most Arid areas do not have regular seasons. For instance the Sahara Desert is always hot and dry. However, some places do have changes in temperature depending on the latitude and the surrounding climates. So, since there are temperature differences, we can say there are 2 seasons, summer and winter.

What are the Temperatures like?
Temperatures can reach as high as 130 degrees or as low as negative 30 degrees. The temperatures will depend on the latitude of the desert. The farther from the equator the colder they will be. On the map above you can see areas of cold desert (light red) and hot desert (dark red), and distance from the equator is clearly the cause.

How Much Precipitation Does it Receive?
Precipitation (or the lack of) is the main factor that defines Arid climate. To have an Arid climate, an area must receive less than 10 inches of rain per year. However, many areas of arid climate receive far less than that. Some deserts around the world don't receive 10 inches of rain in 10 years! The Atacama Desert in Chile is known as the driest place on Earth. It averages 0.04 inches of rain each year. (pictured below). Cold currents carry dry air, so these lands are blasted with dry air most of the year, which causes the low precipitation.

What Kinds of Vegetation (Plants) Does it Have?
There are a few Arid climate areas that are so dry that no plants can survive, such as Atacama Desert. However, many Arid climate areas do receive some rain (up to 10 inches a year), so you will find vegetation in most Arid areas. To survive in this climate, plants must either require very little water or be able to store water. The plants often have long roots and thorns. Some examples are scrub bushes, grasses, and cactus.

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This site is designed for middle school and high school students. The site explains the 12 climate types found on Earth. It discusses the causes of climate and provides details such as where each climate is found, temperatures, precipitation, seasons, vegetation, and animal life.

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Information on standards

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The NSTA Next Generation Science Standards Hub offers information, resources, news, professional learning opportunities, and expert advice in understanding and implementing the Next Generation Science Standards - NGSS

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If you need some information about different biomes, check this site out.

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TeachersFirst's research unit on biomes provides an introduction to the major biomes, a format for a research project, and suggestions for web-based research on each biome.

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Weather vs. Climate: Crash Course Kids #28.1

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Where does climate end, and weather start? Find out in this video.

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Where does climate stop and weather begin? And which is to blame when Mother Nature turns violent? Learn what makes nature unleash her fury and what you can do to protect yourself.

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What are the major climate zones? What patterns do they have?

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What are the major climate zones? What patterns do they have?

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Fun Kids - the UK's children's radio station

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Climate is all about patterns of weather. We find out more about the different climates on our planet and what causes them to be different from each other.

When you hear the words "weather" and "climate" you might think they mean the same thing - but they're quite different!

It might be rainy today or it might be sunny - that's the weather. But climate is the pattern of weather in a place over a much longer time.

Different parts of the world have very different patterns of weather. The Earth's climate is driven by energy from the sun which arrives in the form of heat. Half of this energy travels through our atmosphere and reaches the Earth's surface.

The other half is either absorbed by the atmosphere or reflected back into space. Because the Earth is a sphere, the sun's rays reach the earth's surface in polar regions at a much more slanted angle than at equator. So straight away, we know that the Poles are colder than the Equator.

When things aren't in balance, nature likes to even things out. So the extra energy at the Equator needs to be spread across the planet and it's this that creates different climate zones across the world.

Warm air rises at the equator and moves toward the poles. Where warm, wet air rises, we get thunderstorms and tropical rainforests. Where air sinks, it stops clouds from forming - so it rains less, even making deserts.

How many climate zones are there and how do they differ?

1. Tropical

Around the Equator we have tropical climates which are hot and humid, this is where you'll find the world's rainforests.

2. Arid

Then there are arid or dry climates - like you'd find in deserts.

3. Mediterranean

Next is Mediterranean with hot dry summers, and cooler wetter winters.

4. Temperate

Then there are temperate climates. That's what we have in the UK, where summers are mild and winters aren't too cold.

5. Continental

In areas that are a very long way from the sea, the climate is continental with long, cold winters and short, hot summers.

6. Polar

Finally, there's polar climates which experience long periods of extreme cold.

Local climates

You might have been to countries like France and Italy, in the Mediterranean, where they have lots of snow in winter - and some of their mountains are even snow covered all year round.

But they also have beautiful beaches - great fun during the hot and dry summers. So if you've got both snow covered mountains and hot beaches, does that mean they don't have a Mediterranean climate?

No, it just means that local climates in a country can be different to the region's climate. This can be for lots of reasons - high places like mountains tend to be colder because the air is cooler the higher you go.

What else can affect local climates?

Vegetation can also affect the local climate we experience. In equatorial rainforests, dense vegetation blocking the wind combined with high temperatures and rainfall means it's a very humid place to be! Where there's no vegetation, the air can be much drier and the wind can blow.

In busy cities, the air temperature is often warmer than the surrounding countryside, particularly at night-time. This is due to buildings and roads absorbing heat during the day, and giving it off at night.

Another thing that can affect a local climate is the wind! It might be that part of a country frequently catches wind from another region - this is called a prevailing wind. If it's coming from a hotter place, this might raise temperatures, or if it's from a colder area, it'll cause the local temperature to drop.

The oceans also have a part to play in influencing our weather and climate.

But just because a place has one climate doesn't mean it won't change.

Climate scientists take measurements over long periods of time to track patterns in temperature and rainfall. These help us know what to expect today and in the future but are also a great way to see what changes have happened in the past.

It's amazing to think that 20,000 years ago the UK would have been in the Ice Age, and our climate here would have been similar to the Polar climates that we see today! Cold enough to have a pet polar bear!

Next, we'll be finding out about how and why climates change... click here!
You can hear Marina Ventura's Climate Explorers weekdays from 5pm on Fun Kids!
Get the series on your phone or tablet and listen whenever you like - at home or in the car!

...or you can listen here:

Additional support thanks to Liverpool John Moores University, Manchester Metropolitan University, Met Office, and King's College London.

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What are the major climate zones of the world? - Fun Kids - the UK's children's radio station

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Climate is all about patterns of weather. We find out more about the different climates on our planet and what causes them to be different from each other. When you hear the words "weather" and "climate" you might think they mean the same thing - but they're quite different!

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Weather and climate are conditions of the environment during a short or a long period of time.

What is Weather?

Weather is the condition of the environment at any time- such as the temperature, cloud cover, fog conditions, air pressure, humidity and precipitation. Today the weather might be sunny with a clear sky and tomorrow there might be clouds and rain.

What is climate?

Climate is a long term pattern of the weather conditions. It is the average pattern of the weather conditions taken over a period of time, say 30 years, for a particular region.

Difference between Weather and Climate

The weather of a particular region keeps changing everyday depending on temperature, rainfall and wind conditions but the climate would show the long term behaviour of the weather in that region. So, weather is similar to your mood on a day and climate is like your overall personality.

What makes up our Weather System?

Sunshine, rain, clouds, winds, snow, floods, lightning, heat waves, snowstorms, blizzards, thunder, dust storms, etc.

Why does the Weather in different regions vary?

The Earth is round. So, the sun's rays fall unevenly on the Earth's surface. The polar regions are at an angle where there is little or no sunlight. Result: Extreme cold winters.
The sun's rays fall directly on regions near the equator. Result: Very warm, almost no winters.
The difference in temperature makes the air and water move in currents. Warm air rises, creating space for more air beneath, while cool air settles down.

What makes up our climate system?

1. Atmosphere

The air we breathe and the thin layer of gases that surround the earth is the atmosphere.

2. Oceans

Almost 70% of the Earth's surface is covered with oceans and they change according to changes in the atmosphere.

3. Land

Geographical features influence weather.

4. Ice

3% of the Earth's surface is ice which helps in regulating the temperatures.

5. Biosphere

The biosphere is that part of the earth which supports all forms of life.
For more interesting Geography articles and videos, visit: http://mocomi.com/learn/geography/

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What is Weather and Climate? - Geography For Kids | Mocomi

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Weather and climate are conditions of the environment during a short or a long period of time. Weather is the condition of the environment at any time- such as the temperature, cloud cover, fog conditions, air pressure, humidity and precipitation. Today the weather might be sunny with a clear sky and tomorrow there might be clouds and rain.

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What do you notice about the different regions from this image?

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Weather and Climate

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Weather is a specific event-like a rainstorm or hot day-that happens over a few hours, days or weeks. Climate is the average weather conditions in a place over 30 years or more. NASA has observed that Earth's climate is getting warmer.

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Science Inquiry Conference Ideas

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Do a science fair project!

Test, answer, or show?

Your science fair project may do one of three things:

Topic ideas:

These are just the beginning of ideas. Ask a parent, teacher, or other adult to help you research the topic and find out how to do a science fair project about it.

Measure the cloud cover in the sky.

Test the effect of a mild acid on sea shells. (Test lemon juice or vinegar, for example.)

Demonstrate how Earth's water cycle creates fresh drinking water from sea water.

Investigate the greenhouse effect outdoors, over one week using two thermometers, two shallow open boxes lined with soil, with one covered tightly with clear plastic wrap, and a notebook for taking temperature readings through the day and night. Or use a different, but well-controlled method of comparison.

Make a do-it-yourself rain gauge. Measure the rainfall during one storm or over several days.

Make a cloud in a bottle.

Demonstrate why the equator is warmer than other parts of Earth (unequal heating of Earth's surface) using a flashlight, graph paper, a ruler, and masking tape.

Compare the freezing point of fresh water with the freezing point of seawater or salt water, with varying amounts of salt.

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Do a science fair project! Your science fair project may do one of three things: These are just the beginning of ideas. Ask a parent, teacher, or other adult to help you research the topic and find out how to do a science fair project about it.

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Climate questions answered

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What is climate?
Climate is the average weather 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.

What is our climate system?
Our climate system is made up of the atmosphere, oceans, land, ice and our biosphere.

Atmosphere
The atmosphere covers the Earth. It is a thin layer of mixed gases which make up the air we breathe. This thin layer also helps the Earth from becoming too hot or too cold.

Oceans
Oceans cover about 70 percent of Earth's surface. Their large size and thermal properties allow them to store a lot of heat.

Land
Land covers 27 percent of Earth's surface and land topography influences weather patterns.

Ice
Ice is the world's largest supply of freshwater. It covers the remaining 3 percent of Earth's surface including most of Antarctica and Greenland. Ice plays an important role in regulating climate, because it is highly reflective.

Biosphere
The biosphere is the part of Earth's atmosphere, land, and oceans that supports any living plant, animal, or organism. It is the place where plants and animals, including humans, live.

What is weather?
The weather is just the state 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.

What causes weather?
Because the Earth is round and not flat, the Sun's rays don't fall evenly on the land and oceans. The Sun shines more directly near the equator bringing these areas more warmth. However, the polar regions are at such an angle to the Sun that they get little or no sunlight during the winter, causing colder temperatures. These differences in temperature create a restless movement of air and water in great swirling currents to distribute heat energy from the Sun across the planet. When air in one region is warmer than the surrounding air, it becomes less dense and begins to rise, drawing more air in underneath. Elsewhere, cooler denser air sinks, pushing air outward to flow along the surface and complete the cycle.

Why do mountains affect weather and climate?
There are two sides to a mountain: wayward and leeward. Whenever it is raining, the wayward side gets the rain. As a cloud goes up the mountain, it keeps raining until there is no more water in the cloud. Now, as the cloud starts to go down the other side of the mountain, there is no more precipitation. So, the leeward side of the mountain doesn't get any rain. The flat ground on this side of the mountain is dry and humid.

What is the Water Cycle?
Earth has a limited amount of water. So, that water keeps going around. We call it the water cycle. The water cycle begins with evaporation. Evaporation is when the sun heats up water in rivers, lakes or the ocean. Then turns it into water vapor or steam. The water vapor or steam leaves the body of water and goes into the air. Transpiration is the process by which plants lose water out of their leaves. Condensation is when water vapor in the air gets cold and changes back into water to form clouds. Think of it this way, when you open a cold soda on a hot summer day, your soda will start to sweat as water droplets form on the outside of the can. Precipitation occurs when so much water has condensed that the air can't hold it anymore. This is how we get rain or snow. Collection happens when the precipitation falls and is collected back in the oceans, lakes and rivers. When it falls to the ground, it will soak into the earth and become ground water. This is the water cycle and it just keeps repeating.

Click Here to learn more about the Earth's water cycle.

Why do the leaves change color?
During the spring and summer the leaves have served as factories where most of the foods necessary for the tree's growth are manufactured. This food-making process takes place in the leaf in numerous cells containing chlorophyll, which gives the leaf its green color. Along with the green pigment are yellow to orange to red pigments as well. Most of the year these colors are masked by great amounts of green coloring. But in the fall, because of changes in the length of daylight and changes in temperature, the leaves stop their food-making process. The chlorophyll breaks down, the green color disappears, and the yellow to orange to red colors become visible and give the leaves part of their fall splendor. The best time to enjoy the autumn color would be on a clear, dry, and cool day.

What is deforestation?
Deforestation is the cutting down large numbers of trees to use the land for something instead of a forest. Cutting down trees can affect the climate. After rain falls on a forest, mist rises and new rain clouds form. When forests are cut down, this cycle is disrupted, and the area eventually grows drier, causing a change in the local climate. If huge areas of trees are cut down, the carbon dioxide they would have used builds up in the atmosphere and contributes to the greenhouse effect. And without trees to hold the soil and absorb water, rain washes topsoil away, a process called soil erosion.

What is erosion?
Erosion is the wearing away of the land by water, ice or wind. Soil erosion is a natural process. It becomes a problem when human activity causes it to occur much faster than under natural conditions. Wind and water are the main agents of soil erosion.

What is acid rain?
Acid rain is rain, snow or fog that is polluted by acid in the atmosphere and damages the environment. Two common air pollutants acidify rain: sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxide. When these substances are released into the atmosphere, they can be carried over long distances by prevailing winds before returning to earth as acidic rain, snow, fog or dust. When the environment cannot neutralize the acid being deposited, damage occurs.

Why do we have seasons?
As the Earth spins on its axis, producing night and day, it also moves about the Sun in an elliptical (elongated circle) orbit that requires 365 1/4 days to complete. The Earth's axis is tilted at 23.5 degrees and is why we have seasons. When the Earth's axis points towards the Sun, it is summer for that hemisphere. When the Earth's axis points away, winter can be expected.

What is the significance of the Sun to the Earth?
Without the Sun, there would be no weather. Earth is positioned as the third planet, so our temperatures are sustainable for life. The average temperature of Mars is much colder, while Venus is much hotter.

How can you tell what time it is by looking at the Sun?
Because the sun ALWAYS rises in the east and sets in the west, you can tell the time just by looking at where the sun is. When you look east and the sun is on the horizon that means its approximately 6:00am. When the sun is directly above your head that means its noon. When you look to the west and the sun is on the horizon that means its approximately 6:00pm.

Why do we get more sunlight in the summer than in the winter?
You might not have noticed this, but the Earth tilts over slightly. If you have a globe at home or in school, you can see that the line between north and south poles, that goes through the center of the Earth, isn't vertical. It's actually tilting over by about 23 degrees. In our summer, the north pole is pointing towards the Sun so the Sun rises and sets roughly from due east to due west. In winter, the Earth is on the other side of the Sun so the North Pole is pointing away from the Sun. This means the Sun rises and sets more towards the southeast and southwest. You might notice this as you look out of the window. Think back to how high in the sky the sun was during the summer. Compare this to where the sun is during the winter and you'll see it's much lower down towards the horizon. Because the sun is lower down on the horizon, there's less time for it to travel between horizons. There's less distance for it to travel so the sun rises later and sets earlier meaning there's less daylight.

What is the purpose of the Moon?
The tidal effect of the moon helps to recirculate the oceans and keep them from becoming stagnated. The result of which would be catastrophic for advanced forms of life like humans.

What is Global Warming?
Global warming refers to an average increase in the Earth's temperature, which in turn causes changes in climate. A warmer Earth may lead to changes in rainfall patterns, a rise in sea level, and a wide range of impacts on plants, wildlife, and humans. When scientists talk about the issue of climate change, their concern is about global warming caused by human activities.

Is the Earth getting warmer?
Yes! The Earth has warmed by about 1ºF over the past 100 years. But why? Well, scientists are not exactly sure. The Earth could be getting warmer on its own, but many of the world's leading climate scientists think that things people do are helping to make the Earth warmer.

Click Here to learn more about Global Warming.

What is the Greenhouse Effect?
The greenhouse effect is the rise in temperature that the Earth experiences because certain gases in the atmosphere like water vapor, carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, and methane trap energy from the sun. Without these gases, heat would escape back into space and Earths average temperature would be about 60ºF colder and would not be warm enough for humans to live. But if the greenhouse effect becomes stronger, it could make the Earth warmer than usual.

Global Warming may be a big problem, but can you make a difference?
Yes! There are several little things you can do to make a difference. Try carpooling. This will help reduce the amount of fossil fuels going into the atmosphere. Whenever you use electricity, you help put greenhouse gases into the air. Turning off lights, the television, and the computer when you are through with them. Also, planting trees is fun and a great way to reduce greenhouse gases. Trees absorb carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, from the air. Finally, don't forget about recycling.

What is El Niño?
El Niño is a climate pattern where the water in the Pacific Ocean near the equator gets hotter than usual and affects the atmosphere and weather around the world. El Niño climate conditions occur every few years, and they are not predictable. El Niño is Spanish for The Little Boy. It refers to the Christ child and was named by Mexican fisherman, who noticed the climate pattern often formed around Christmastime. In a normal year, the warmest water is in the far western Pacific. This forms thunderstorms. (Graphic Credit:USA TODAY)

In an El Niño year, the warmest water moves eastward across the Pacific. Thunderstorms disrupt the jet stream changing the weather pattern. (Graphic Credit:USA TODAY)

What type of a climate pattern do we see with an El Niño?
The climate pattern can change the weather of the United States, particularly in California and the southern states. Usually, El Niño brings more rain and higher temperatures. Also, warm ocean currents come farther north and all kinds of tropical fish can be caught in the waters far north along the United States West Coast. El Niño may also bring warmer than normal winter temperatures to the eastern part of the United States.

What is La Niña?
La Niña is sort of the opposite of El Niño. During a La Niña, the water in the same area along the equator gets colder than usual. This, too, affects weather around the globe and in the U.S. According to scientists, La Niña cycles generally create a more active hurricane season in the Atlantic.

What type of climate pattern do we see with La Niña?
In the United States, La Niña is expected to bring above normal temperatures throughout most of the Southwest and southern Florida in the late summer and fall. These warmer conditions will extend across the Southeast during the winter months. Cooler than normal winter temperatures are expected in the Pacific Northwest. Cooler than normal temperatures are also expected across the Great Lakes and Northeast later in the winter into spring. In addition to temperature effects, La Niña is also expected to affect rainfall. Drier than normal conditions will persist in west Texas, New Mexico and Arizona into October. The late fall and early winter forecasts indicate continued dry conditions throughout much of the southern U.S. and into portions of the Midwest. Above normal precipitation is predicted for much of the Pacific Northwest throughout the fall and into the winter months, and in the Ohio and Tennessee River Valley in the winter.

Lesson Plan: Here is a great lesson plan on El Niño. This lesson plan demonstrates the effects of El Niño, the trade winds, and upwelling.

Water Cycle Experiment: Here is a great experiment that teaches kids about how the water cycle works.

Acid Rain Experiment: Here is a great experiment on acid rain. It lets kids see how destructive acid rain can be to statue and buildings.

Ozone Pollution Science Fair Project: Here are some great science fair project ideas to help kids understand ozone pollution and makes them aware of how it is formed.

Greenhouse Effect Experiment: Here is an experiment that demonstrates how to recreate the greenhouse effect.

Global Warming Experiment: Here is an experiment investigates the effect on sea level due to the melting of floating ice due to global warming.

Science Fair Project Ideas: Here is a complete list of science fair project ideas. Discover the science behind the weather that impacts us every day.

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What is climate? Climate is the average weather 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.

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Global, regional, and local factors that influence climate. How climate affects where species are found.

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Geography4Kids.com! This tutorial introduces climate basics. Other sections include the atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, the Earth, and ecosystems.

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Simulation

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The Vostok Core & Milankovitch Cycles Climate Applet

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The High-Adventure Science Climate module has six activities. Explore the question,....

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Match Game: The difference between Climate & Weather

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The Difference Between Weather and Climate

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A STEM-based lesson about the difference between weather and climate

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The Difference Between Weather and Climate

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The Difference Between Weather and Climate

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A STEM-based lesson about the difference between weather and climate

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Scholastic Interactive Activities

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Weather and Climate: 13 StudyJams! Interactive Science Activities | Scholastic

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Real-world examples will help students understand weather and climate, including seasons, storms, oceans, and Earth's atmosphere.

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Hands-on Science and literature about Weather and Climate

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A common perception of the polar regions is that both experience severe weather and are characterized by a cold climate. While this is true, it is important to remember that the Arctic and Antarctica are quite different in terms of geography and, as a result, have profound differences in their weather and climate. A comparison of the regions will help students not only understand the weather and climate of these two places but also the many factors that influence weather and climate. See " Weather and Climate: The Short and the Long of It " in this issue for more information about how the weather and climate of these two places differ.

Before beginning a study of polar weather, it is imperative that students understand basic weather concepts, terminology, and instruments used in meteorology. Observing local weather patterns will help develop these concepts before expanding to a national or worldwide comparison.

These hands-on experiences also help students create nonlinguistic representations of weather vocabulary and concepts, an important tool in vocabulary development. See " Vocabulary Development and Nonlinguistic Representations: How Can Science Help? " in the Professional Learning department for more information.

Finally, understanding weather and climate allows students to begin exploring the topic of climate change - one that is particularly relevant to the polar regions. While not ready to deal with climate change in all its complexity, elementary students can begin to learn about the topic through children's literature, discussion, and modeling.

We've divided lessons and activities into four sections: General Weather and Climate, Comparing and Contrasting Weather and Climate, Polar Weather and Climate, and Climate Change. By beginning with a study of weather and climate close to home, then expanding to compare and contrast home weather with weather in other locations, and finally examining places far away, students will more easily master the content.

For each science lesson, we've included the appropriate National Science Education Standards. You can read the entire National Science Education Standards online for free or register to download the free PDF. The content standards are found in Chapter 6.

GENERAL WEATHER AND CLIMATE

Use these lessons and activities to help your students develop an understanding of weather and climate in their hometown.
To further integrate literacy skills into this lesson, read the books about seasons from Issue Three's Virtual Bookshelf. To further integrate literacy skills into this lesson, try the following: To further integrate literacy skills into this lesson, try the following: To further integrate literacy skills into this lesson, try:
Weather: A Journey in Nonfiction
This research project is designed to engage primary students in nonfiction text, in both print and digital format. This lesson meets NCTE/IRA Standards: 1, 3, 6, 7, 8.
In grades 3-5, students begin to investigate weather in a more detailed way, learning about the components of weather, weather instruments, and forecasting. The following eight investigations are meant to be used as a comprehensive unit on weather. We've provided a literacy lesson to complement the unit as a whole.
This unit meets the National Science Education Standards: Science as Inquiry Content Standard, Earth and Space Science Content Standard, and the Science and Technology Content Standard.

Investigation 1: Clouds (Grades 3-5)
Students observe and record different types of clouds.

Investigation 2: Thermometers (Grades 3-5)
Students practice using thermometers, make homemade thermometers, and use thermometers to record and graph temperature data.

Investigation 3: Wind (Grades 3-5)
Students create a wind vane and an anemometer and then use their instruments to observe and record weather data.

Investigation 4: Air Pressure and Barometers (Grades 3-5)
Students learn about barometric pressure, create a homemade barometer, and observe and record weather data.

Investigation 5: Severe Weather (Grades 3-5)
Students explore web sites to learn about severe weather. While this lesson plan is written for Utah, it can be easily adapted to any state.

Investigation 6: Collecting Weather Data (Grades 3-5)
In this investigation, students collect weather data for two weeks. They will start seeing patterns and be able to make predictions.

Investigation 8: Weather Forecasts (Grades 3-5)
Students will learn how to predict and evaluate weather forecasts.
To further integrate literacy skills into this unit, try:
COMPARING/CONTRASTING WEATHER AND CLIMATE

Use these lessons and activities to help your students compare and contrast the weather and climate of their hometown with other locations (including the polar regions).

How's the Weather Today? (Grades K-2)
This lesson asks students to think about the weather in their area and introduces them to weather and temperature trends in different latitudes of the United States. This lesson meets the National Science Education Standards: Science as Inquiry Content Standard, Earth and Space Science Content Standard, and the Science in Personal and Social Perspectives Content Standard for grades K-4.

Weather Complaints (Grades 3-5)
This lesson asks students to consider the weather and climate where they live and in other places and to think about the ways in which people complain about the weather. This lesson meets the National Science Education Standards: Earth and Space Science Content Standard and the Science in Personal and Social Perspectives Content Standard.
To further integrate literacy skills into these three lessons, try:
Postcard Creator
This interactive tool from ReadWriteThink helps students learn the parts of a postcard and create their own cards. A pdf document provides tips for using the tool. This lesson meets NCTE/IRA Standards: 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 11, 12.
To further integrate literacy skills into this lesson, try:
POLAR WEATHER AND CLIMATE

Few lessons focus exclusively on the weather of the polar regions. To incorporate this topic into your teaching, begin with this issue's Feature Story and Virtual Bookshelf. We've highlighted an animation and two web sites that provide temperature data for various polar locations. Many of the lessons listed above can be modified to include the Arctic and Antarctica.

British Antarctic Survey
The home page of this web site lists current temperatures (in Celsius) at various locations in Antarctica.

Arctic Map with Weather Data
This map shows communities, villages, and research stations throughout the Arctic. Click on a yellow dot to display current weather information for that location.

Interactive Arctic Climate Map
Click on labeled points in the Arctic to view a graph of the annual temperature cycle for that geographic location.

Why Is It Cold at the Poles? (Grades 3-5)
This animation from the EducaPoles site explains why the poles are colder than other places on earth.

CLIMATE CHANGE

Use these lessons and activities to help your students develop an understanding of climate change and how it is affecting the polar regions. Younger students should be introduced to the basic ideas of global warming (see our Virtual Bookshelf ) and resource conservation. Upper-elementary students can begin to investigate the topic in more detail.
To further integrate literacy skills into this lesson, try: To further integrate literacy skills into these two lessons, try: This article was written by Jessica Fries-Gaither. For more information, see the Contributors page. Email Jessica at Copyright June 2008 - The Ohio State University. This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 0733024. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation. This work is licensed under an Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported Creative Commons license. beyondpenguins@msteacher.org.

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Hands-On Science and Literacy Lessons About Weather and Climate - Weather and Climate: From Home to the Poles - Beyond Penguins and Polar Bears

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A common perception of the polar regions is that both experience severe weather and are characterized by a cold climate. While this is true, it is important to remember that the Arctic and Antarctica are quite different in terms of geography and, as a result, have profound differences in their weather and climate.

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Lessons and Activities

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Teacher Guide: Lesson Plans - Wonderful World of Weather

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Weather Scope: An Investigative Study of Weather and Climate

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Student Activities *Weather Scope: An Investigative Study of Weather and Climate)

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Weather Scope: An Investigative Study of Weather and Climate

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Research Blimp

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Wild Weather Adventure! :: NASA Space Place

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Pilot your research blimp through wild weather around the world.

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Climate - United States - Monthly averages

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The climate in the United States. Information regarding the temperature, precipitation, and sunshine for more than 5000 cities and locations in the United States. The climate in Washington, District of Columbia.

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Use these climate questions to spark ideas for science projects.

Ideas for projects using climate data

1. "The weather has been particularly warm" - investigate statistically.

2. How accurate is the forecast? (compare with actual temperatures and rainfall)

3. The reality of global warming in my town.

4. Is it more likely to rain in the school holidays?

5. Is my city/town getting warmer?

6. Investigate the correlation between grocery sales and the daily weather conditions.

7. Investigate long-term weather patterns.

8. Compare temperature/rainfall/climate of the main centres/different locations.

9. Investigate rainfall/temperature trends in _____ over past __ years.

10. Time-series analysis using rainfall or temperatures.

11. Which is sunnier: Auckland or Wellington?

12. Which city has the warmer/drier/windier/sunnier climate?

13. Is Wellington really the windiest city?

14. Do the temperatures of Northland exceed Southland by 5 degrees?

15. Does the temperature affect the attendance at "Adventure Park"?

16. Does the temperature affect the rugby ball in play?

17. Investigate the feasibility of a farming venture.

18. Is the speed of a cyclist on a return trip affected by the wind?

19. Do cities with same latitude have similar weather patterns?

20. Does climate affect the viability of building an international airport at _____?

21. Compare average monthly rain and temperatures in NZ to 10 years ago.

22. How does the weather affect shopping patterns?

23. Investigate the relationship between rainfall and milk/butterfat production.

24. Investigate the relationship between rainfall and umbrella sales.

25. Investigate the relationship between temperature and coat sales.

26. Does snowfall depend on altitude or latitude?

27. Investigate the relationship between temperature and latitude.

28. Do the sunniest locations have less rain?

29. Does ozone depletion cause a significant improvement/rise in Dunedin temperatures?

30. Make a case for the staging of a large outdoor concert in your city.

31. How are weather patterns predicted?

32. Which cities will be affected by global warming and rising sea-level?

33. What effect would rising sea-level have on land area and population in different parts of New Zealand and/or the Pacific Islands.

34. An analysis of temperature patterns across a town/city.

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Use these climate questions to spark ideas for science projects. "The weather has been particularly warm" - investigate statistically. How accurate is the forecast? (compare with actual temperatures and rainfall) The reality of global warming in my town. Is it more likely to rain in the school holidays?

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Water Density Video: Launched on World Oceans Day, June 8. Celebrate science and enjoy the opportunity to remember the life-giving role of oceans. Amazing Fluids: museum school program that explores the properties of oil, water, and alcohol, and explore the relationship between, mass, volume, and density.

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Precipitation Towers Lesson Plan | Precipitation Education

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This lesson uses cubes as a way to graph precipitation data to compare the precipitation averages and seasonal patterns for several different locations. There are several variations to accommodate various ages and ability levels.This website, presented by NASA's Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) mission, provides students and educators with resources to learn about Earth's water cycle, weather and climate, and the technology and societal applications of studying them.

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The Ocean - A driving force for climate

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NASA | The Ocean: A Driving Force for Weather and Climate

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What role do ocean currents play in climate?

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Explains patterns

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Climate Zones of the Earth - The Dr. Binocs Show | Best Learning Videos For kids | Dr Binocs

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An area's climate - or average weather conditions over a long period of time - is influenced by a number of factors. This song summarizes the main effects of five of these factors: latitude, elevation, ocean currents (like the Gulf Stream), global winds (like the Jet Stream), and proximity to water.

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Earth: Climate and Weather - National Geographic - 24hToday

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The difference between climate and weather

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Watch the video for an explanation of how studying depth of ice helps show atrend.

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The Difference Between Weather and Climate

Limnologist John Magnuson of the University of Wisconsin at Madison, explains the difference between weather and climate using data on ice cover from Lake Mendota in Madison, Wisconsin. Analysis of the data indicates a long-term trend that can be connected to climate change.

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The Difference Between Weather and Climate

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Limnologist John Magnuson of the University of Wisconsin at Madison, explains the difference between weather and climate using data on ice cover from Lake Mendota in Madison, Wisconsin. Analysis of the data indicates a long-term trend that can be connected to climate change.

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Rainfall Map of the World

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NASA's Global Precipitation Measurement mission has produced its first global map of rainfall and snowfall. The GPM Core Observatory launched one year ago on Feb. 27, 2014 as a collaboration between NASA and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency and acts as the standard to unify precipitation measurements from a network of 12 satellites.

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What do you notice about the activity on the map.

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The world's rainfall patterns mapped by Nasa's Goddard Earth Observing System Model, Version 5. Source: http://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/vis/a030000/a030000/a030017/index.html

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NASA's Global Tour of Precipitation in Ultra HD (4K)

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Precipitation (falling rain and snow) is our fresh water reservoir in the sky and is fundamental to life on Earth. This video shows the most detailed and worldwide view of rain and snowfall ever created and uses satellite measurements from the Global Precipitation Measurement Core Observatory, or GPM, a joint mission between NASA and the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).

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NASA | Synthesis: NASA Data Visualizations In Ultra-HD (4K)

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Our senses tell us about the natural world, but our senses cannot tell us everything. That's why we use tools, and NASA develops some of the most sophisticated, most exciting tools of all. Designed to reveal aspects of the Earth, the Sun, The Moon, these tools gather essential data about the world around us, while other instruments peer way out to much more distant places.

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What conclusions can you make by observing the wind movement?

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What do you notice about temperatures by the movement on the map?

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The world's wildfire patterns mapped by Nasa's Goddard Earth Observing System Model, Version 5. Source: http://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/vis/a030000/a030000/a030017/index.html

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Climate data for cities worldwide - Climate-Data.org

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Government Internet Service Home page. The starting point for official government weather forecasts, warnings, meteorological products for forecasting the weather, and information about meteorology.

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Use the rubric as a guide to help sets learning goals.

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Very cool! Check this out - weather as it is happening

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Natural History Museum

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Exhibition Text

Many factors influence climate. The Sun's brightness and the Earth's orbit and tilt relative to the Sun influence the amount of solar energy that reaches Earth. The extent of ice cover affects the amount of solar radiation that is reflected back into space. The amounts of carbon dioxide and water vapor in the atmosphere determine how much heat it traps. Atmospheric and oceanic circulation, which themselves depend on the configuration of the continents, influence the distribution of heat around the planet.

Show more

For Educators

Subtopic: Climate/Climate Change

Keywords: Atmosphere, Climatology, Ocean-atmosphere interaction, Solar radiation, Climatic changes--Environmental aspects

In This Section

A striking feature of the climate record for the past million years is the regularity of ice ages - intensely cold periods that appear to follow the combined effects of three regular cycles, or frequencies.

A striking feature of the climate record for the past million years is the regularity of ice ages - intensely cold periods that appear to follow the combined effects of three regular cycles, or frequencies.

David S. and Ruth L. Gottesman Hall of Planet Earth

Show me on the Interactive Floor Plan

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Many factors influence climate. The Sun's brightness and the Earth's orbit and tilt relative to the Sun influence the amount of solar energy that reaches Earth. The extent of ice cover affects the amount of solar radiation that is reflected back into space.

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Natural History Museum

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Exhibition Text

Many factors influence climate. The Sun's brightness and the Earth's orbit and tilt relative to the Sun influence the amount of solar energy that reaches Earth. The extent of ice cover affects the amount of solar radiation that is reflected back into space. The amounts of carbon dioxide and water vapor in the atmosphere determine how much heat it traps. Atmospheric and oceanic circulation, which themselves depend on the configuration of the continents, influence the distribution of heat around the planet.

Show more

For Educators

Subtopic: Climate/Climate Change

Keywords: Atmosphere, Climatology, Ocean-atmosphere interaction, Solar radiation, Climatic changes--Environmental aspects

In This Section

A striking feature of the climate record for the past million years is the regularity of ice ages - intensely cold periods that appear to follow the combined effects of three regular cycles, or frequencies.

A striking feature of the climate record for the past million years is the regularity of ice ages - intensely cold periods that appear to follow the combined effects of three regular cycles, or frequencies.

David S. and Ruth L. Gottesman Hall of Planet Earth

Show me on the Interactive Floor Plan

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Many factors influence climate. The Sun's brightness and the Earth's orbit and tilt relative to the Sun influence the amount of solar energy that reaches Earth. The extent of ice cover affects the amount of solar radiation that is reflected back into space.

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when does climate start

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Bill Nye Answers Even More Science Questions From Twitter | Tech Support | WIRED

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Use the maps to track data on migration

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Journey North: Migration Map Gallery for Spring 2018

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Look through the ideas to see if there is a project linked to climate based on your question.

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Information to help build Inquiry

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News Updates to drive instruction. Each update includes a journal page with a question to explore, an activity to try, a map to analyze and more. Over the season, the journal becomes a workplace where students explore ever-changing events, record compelling questions, formulate hypotheses, and document discoveries.

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Track the Weather - patterns with Weather Scope

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Track the Weather - patterns with Weather Scope

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Check out the lessons under climate

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Teacher Guide: Lesson Plans - Wonderful World of Weather

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Weather Scope: An Investigative Study of Weather and Climate

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Research & Data on Biomes

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Information on different locations

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This site is designed for middle school and high school students. The site explains the 12 climate types found on Earth. It discusses the causes of climate and provides details such as where each climate is found, temperatures, precipitation, seasons, vegetation, and animal life.

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Interesting facts

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Climate around the world and even in the United States varies a lot. Places near the equator tend to be hot and humid most of the year. The sun's rays are most intense at the equator. Areas near the North and South poles are cold much of the year. Some areas get little rain, followed by rainy seasons or monsoons. Others get moisture year-round, while desert areas are almost always dry.

Climate is controlled by many factors. Areas near oceans and large lakes often stay warmer than dry, inland areas. If you live in a mountainous area at high altitude, your climate is probably cooler and more intense than an area at sea level. Winds blowing in from the oceans also influence weather.

Climate is important. It determines what types of houses people build and clothing they wear. Climate influences the crops people grow and the food they eat. Climate even controls things like traditions, games and play. If you live in an area where it's cold most of the year, you probably won't play outside as much as a child living in a warm, mild climate.

Fun Facts about Climate Around the World for Kids

Climate and weather are not the same things. Weather is short term and climate is consistent commonly summarized as "Climate is what you expect, weather is what you get"

Latitude, altitude, terrain and nearby water bodies all affect the climate of a place

Koppen classification of climates uses average monthly measurements of temperature and precipitation

Modern day instruments such as anemometers, barometers and thermometers are used to study weather and determine climate changes over the past few centuries

Climate change comes from changes in regional or global climates over decades or up to millions of years

The most commonly referred to climate change today is the rise of the earth's average surface temperature called global warming

Scientists try to predict climate changes using models to simulate how the atmosphere, oceans, land surfaces and ice will interact

Climate Around the World Vocabulary

1. Climate: Weather averaged over a long period of time

2. Anemometer: Instrument used to measure and record wind speed

3. Interact: Two or more things that act upon each other

4. Latitude: distance measured from the earth's equator either north or south

5. Altitude: Height or distance from sea level of a place

6. Classification: distribution into groups according to some common relation or attribute

7. Barometer: Instrument used to measure atmospheric pressure

8. Regional: Of a particular tract of land or area

All about Climate Around the World Video for Kids

Watch this awesome climate around the world video for kids:

A video documentary all about climate around the world, explaining why there are different climates in different places.

Climate Around the World Q&A

Question: What do I need to do if I want to study climates and weather?

Answer: To learn more about the weather and climates you can pay attention to daily temperatures. Your family may have a thermometer outside their house or you could listen to your local weather forecasts. You could even look up how to make your own monitoring devices like a barometer. In school you will want to study your sciences and math as they will provide you with the basics to study more about these things in college.

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Question: Why are the climates at the earth's poles so very cold?

Answer: The poles of the earth are much colder than the rest of the planet because they are the furthest away from the sun's rays so receive the least amount of the sun's intensity. Unlike the equator at the fat center of the earth which gets the most of the sun's warming.

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Question: Can people live in every type of climate?

Answer: People can survive in every type of climate, but not always without the help of modern day technology. If people are exposed to some climates without proper protection they can die. Modern devices like air conditioning protect people from extreme heat and make thinks more comfortable for people in hot and humid climates. Science has also developed extreme insulating materials too that help protect people from extreme cold as well.

Enjoyed the Easy Geography for Kids all about Climate Around the World info? Take the FREE & fun quiz all about Climate Around the World and download FREE all about Climate Around the World worksheet for kids. For lengthy info click here.

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Climate around the world and even in the United States varies a lot. Places near the equator tend to be hot and humid most of the year. The sun's rays are most intense at the equator. Areas near the North and South poles are cold much of the year.

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Find Data for a Region

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Discover pages with the best links about a subject

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Intranets & Team Sites | Microsoft Office

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Connect team members to shared content with team sites, and deliver a mobile, intelligent intranet to inform and engage across your organization.