Ever heard someone say, "The weather's crazy! It's proof climate change isn't real!"? That's like judging a book by a single page. While seemingly interchangeable, weather and climate are distinct concepts.
**Weather** is the short-term atmospheric conditions in a specific location – think temperature, precipitation, wind, and humidity *right now* or over the next few days. It's what you see out your window: sunny, rainy, snowy, or windy.
**Climate**, on the other hand, describes the long-term weather patterns of a region. It's the *average* weather over many years, even decades. Think of the Mediterranean climate: hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. This is based on historical data, not just today's forecast.
So, a cold snap doesn't disprove climate change. Climate change refers to long-term shifts in these average weather patterns globally. One is a snapshot, the other the whole album. Understanding the difference is crucial for informed discussions about our planet!
