Sky's the Limit: Ace Your AMS Certification Test 2026 – Become a Weather Wizard!

The distinguishing factor between weather and climate lies in the time scales they reference. Weather pertains to the short-term atmospheric conditions in a specific place at a specific time. This includes variables such as temperature, humidity, precipitation, cloudiness, visibility, and wind, which can change from minute to minute or day to day.

On the other hand, climate is the long-term average of these weather conditions over extended periods, typically 30 years or more. It encompasses the typical patterns and trends observed in a particular region over time, allowing for insights into what one might generally expect in that area regarding seasonal changes, averages, and variations.

This understanding of weather and climate is crucial for meteorologists and climatologists as they study and report on atmospheric phenomena, prepare for weather-related events, and understand overarching trends in climate change. Other statements, such as the idea that weather is always severe or that weather happens indoors, misinterpret the fundamental concepts associated with these terms.