What is Climate

Climate is the average weather pattern experienced by a region over a long period of time (usually measured over a 30-year period).  Descriptions of climate include not only the average weather patterns, but also the range of variations in weather.  Climate incorporates all the elements of weather:  temperature, precipitation, sunshine, wind velocity, and the seasonal patterns of these elements.

Many factors influence the climate of a region, including latitude, altitude, topography and proximity to large bodies of water (oceans or large lakes) and the effects of regional and global air and oceanic circulation patterns.  While the climate of a region determines what plants can grow there, the vegetation also influences climate by its effects on solar heat absorption, water retention and humidity. 

What is the difference between climate and weather?

Weather refers to the temperature, precipitation (rain and snow), humidity, sunshine and wind that occur at a particular time at a specific location.  Thus, the weather we get is determined by the climate in which we live.  And the weather describes the climate.  One can say that climate is what we expect, while weather is what we get.

Weather changes from day to day, or as we like to say in the Maritimes, from hour to hour – “if you don’t like the weather, just wait a little while."

For more information on weather, climate and climate change, please visit RealClimate (climate science from climate scientists). This site has a wealth of information and links to sites explaining climate science at various levels of depth.

http://www.realclimate.org/index.php/archives/2007/05/start-here/

The WeatherNetwork also has a video featuring David Suzuki, as well as good information and links:
http://www.theweathernetwork.com/climatechange/