Weather vs. Climate

The difference between weather and climate, as well as how they are interconnected.

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What is the difference between weather and climate?

Weather describes the state of the atmosphere at a given time and location, and describes the conditions that we are experiencing now, or that are forecast to occur in the near future. Weather is comprised of the following:

Air temperature

Humidity

Precipitation

Cloudiness

Wind

Air pressure

..as well as other variables.

We are used to thinking about weather because it affects our day-to-day activities.

When we look outside to determine if the sun is shining or if it’s raining, we are interested in the weather. When we talk about snow storms or heat waves, we are also referring to the weather.

Climate is the long term statistics of weather. It includes, for example, the averages, variability, and extremes of weather for a particular place calculated over a period of at least 30 years.  The climate of a given location is affected by the location’s:

Latitude on Earth

Elevation

Proximity to mountain ranges, bodies of water, and ocean currents

And patterns of high and low pressure areas and prevailing winds (such as trade winds)

Climate also varies over time, from season to season, year to year, and over longer time scales, such as Ice Ages. When we say, “Canadian winters are cold,” we are making a statement about the climate. Not every place in Canada, on every day, will be cold during the winter months. But we know that the Canadian climate is generally cold in the winter.

Compared to the weather, which can change abruptly and quickly on any given day, the climate of a location is relatively stable and changes slowly. Put differently, the weather determines what we wear today, while the climate determines the clothes we have in our closets.

Climate and weather are interconnected, but it is important to understand the difference, because our climate is changing. Change in the average global climate results from significant changes to the system as a whole, including the weather we experience day-to-day.

For more information on the impacts of climate change in Canada, see Canada’s Changing Climate Report.

For any questions about using climate data and information, please contact the Climate Services Support Desk.