Weather Definition

Weather describes the short-term state of the atmosphere; climate is the long-term average.

The term weather describes the short-term state of the atmosphere at a specific location at a given point in time. It encompasses measurable meteorological elements such as temperature, air pressure, humidity, wind, and precipitation. This state can change within minutes to hours and indicates whether, for example, it is raining or sunny. In contrast, climate is defined as the long-term average of weather conditions over a period of at least 30 years.

Understanding these terms is particularly important in the context of climate change. While weather events, such as a one-time storm or a heatwave, cannot be considered evidence of climate change, observations of increasing extreme weather events over longer periods of time are an indication of the influences of climate change. Climate change describes long-term changes in the statistical averages of weather elements that result from a variety of weather events.

Rising temperatures lead to increased evaporation and a greater capacity of the atmosphere to hold water, which results in more frequent and intense weather extremes, such as heatwaves and heavy rainfall. Therefore, it is crucial to distinguish between transient weather and stable climate to better understand the impacts of climate change on the environment and society.