🌦️ Climate Science — Intro#

Scope — What climate is, how it differs from weather, and the major components that shape Earth’s climate system.

Key concepts#

• Climate vs weather — weather describes short‑term atmospheric conditions; climate describes long‑term patterns and averages.
• Climate system — atmosphere, oceans, cryosphere, land surface, and biosphere interacting over time.
• Energy balance — incoming solar radiation versus outgoing terrestrial radiation.

Seed Q&A triads#

• Q: What is the difference between climate and weather?
  A: Weather refers to day‑to‑day conditions, while climate describes long‑term averages and variability over decades or longer.

• Q: Why is the Sun central to Earth’s climate?
  A: Solar radiation is the primary energy source driving atmospheric and oceanic circulation.

• Q: What role do oceans play in climate?
  A: Oceans store and transport heat, moderating temperature and influencing weather and climate patterns globally.

Quick activities#

• Compare average temperature and precipitation for two regions and discuss how climate differs despite similar daily weather events.