Weather vs. Climate Quiz

Weather vs. Climate

• The sun is the primary driver of weather, influencing temperature and precipitation.
• Weather is the day-to-day patterns of temperature, moisture, precipitation, and wind.
• Climate is the long-term pattern of weather in an area.

The Sun and Weather

• The sun's rays provide both light and heat energy.
• Heat absorbed by Earth's surface warms the air above it.
• This creates convection, as heated air expands, rises, and cool air sinks.
• Convection currents move air masses, causing weather patterns.

Clouds and Weather

• Clouds change with weather patterns.
• Convection is responsible for the movement of heated molecules.

Jet Streams

• Bands of high-speed winds in the atmosphere, circling the globe.
• Their path is slightly wavy due to continents and oceans.
• Jet streams push air masses around, causing weather changes.
• There is one major jet stream that affects most of the US.

Warm Fronts and Cold Fronts

• Air masses are described by their density (warm or cold).
• Warm fronts denote less dense and cool fronts denser air masses.
• The names relate to the density of the air mass, not necessarily the temperature change.

Florida's Climate

• Florida has a tropical/subtropical climate.
• Temperatures change less dramatically than other parts of the U.S.
• Precipitation is typically in the form of rain (not snow.)
• Precipitation typically occurs during the summer.