Climate and Weather

Climate and Weather
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zz_CRzcIT-Q

National Geographic

This video discusses the differences between climate and weather by defining and presenting examples of each. When presenting examples of weather, the video focuses on severe events and how meteorologists predict and study the weather using measurement, satellites, and radar. The climate focus is primarily on an overview of climate zones.

Video length: 3:22 min.

Learn more about Teaching Climate Literacy and Energy Awareness»

See how this Video supports the Next Generation Science Standards»

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Middle School

Disciplinary Core Ideas: 2

MS-ESS2.D1: Weather and climate are influenced by interactions involving sunlight, the ocean, the atmosphere, ice, landforms, and living things. These interactions vary with latitude, altitude, and local and regional geography, all of which can affect oceanic and atmospheric flow patterns.

MS-ESS2.D3: The ocean exerts a major influence on weather and climate by absorbing energy from the sun, releasing it over time, and globally redistributing it through ocean currents.

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High School

Disciplinary Core Ideas: 1

HS-ESS2.D1: The foundation for Earth’s global climate systems is the electromagnetic radiation from the sun, as well as its reflection, absorption, storage, and redistribution among the atmosphere, ocean, and land systems, and this energy’s re-radiation into space.

Grade Level

Middle (6-8)
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High School (9-12)
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Topics

Climate Compared to Weather
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Climate Literacy

This Video builds on the following concepts of Climate Literacy.

Click a topic below for supporting information, teaching ideas, and sample activities.

Notes From Our Reviewers The CLEAN collection is hand-picked and rigorously reviewed for scientific accuracy and classroom effectiveness. Read what our review team had to say about this resource below or learn more about how CLEAN reviews teaching materials
Teaching Tips | Science | Pedagogy | Technical Details

Teaching Tips

This contains very basic information. It could be a good introduction for middle school students or a good refresher for 9th graders who need clarification on the definitions of weather and climate.

About the Science

While weather and climate are connected, they are driven by different processes and are studied using different strategies.
Climate is the average weather conditions over a long period of time. There are six major climate zones across the globe. Climate is a factor that helps people determine where to live.
Weather is the day-to-day conditions of the conditions of Earth's atmosphere. Severe weather events cause billions of dollars in damages to infrastructure. Weather forecasts allow humans to prepare for severe weather events.
Meteorologists and scientists use advanced tools to research the atmosphere. These tools include computer models, radar, and satellites.
Comments from expert scientist: Clear articulation of the difference between climate and weather.
The point is well made that Earth has different climate zones but within each zone the conditions are highly variable.

About the Pedagogy

This is a good video to show when teaching about the differences between weather and climate.

Technical Details/Ease of Use

The video quality seems pixelated and is made worse when played full screen.
The video can be shared or embedded. There is a short, 15-second advertisement at the beginning of video.

Entered the Collection: May 2012 Last Reviewed: June 2016

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Middle School (see details)