Basics: Weather vs Climate

Weather describes the local conditions outside right now. For example, the weather outside where you live might be rainy or sunny today. Climate, on the other hand describes weather conditions in a particular region during a particular time of the year. As an example, one might describe the winter climate in the midwest United States as frigid. Accordingly, on a day in January, a city in the midwest might experience warm weather, but largely the climate in the region tends to be very cold. Remember, weather can change within a few hours, while climate change can take hundreds or even millions of years.