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Da VIP Academy / GED / Science / Earth & Space Science

Weather & Climate

Distinguish weather from climate and interpret climate evidence.

Practice this skillAll Science skills

How it works

Weather is now, climate is the pattern

Weather is today's conditions; climate is the average over 30 years or more. A cold week does not change a warming climate trend.

Urban heat islands

Pavement and buildings absorb and re-radiate heat, so cities run hotter than surrounding areas. Tree cover and shade lower surface temperatures measurably.

Worked examples

  1. Use the block-temperature table to describe the relationship between tree cover and heat.

    1. As tree cover rises from 2% to 62%, temperature falls from 127°F to 91°F.
    2. The relationship is negative (inverse).
    3. More shade, cooler surfaces.

Words to know

Climate
Long-term average weather for a region.

Test-day tips

  • • A single day's weather is never evidence about climate.
Try Weather & Climate practice