What Is the Difference Between Weather and Climate?

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Grades6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12Earth and Space Sciences

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Provided by NowThis Earth

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What it is

This video from NowThis Earth distinguishes between weather and climate, discusses extreme weather, and talks about why some people get confused about the difference between climate and weather.
Students will understand the misconception that cold temperatures are evidence that climate change isn't real.

Teaching tips

Positives

The video gives a very clear explanation of the difference between weather and climate.
Engaging visuals accompany this video.

Prerequisites

Students should have a basic understanding of weather, climate, and climate change.

Differentiation & Implementation

Teachers can use this video after a lesson on weather and climate.
After this video, students could be given a class activity to write out the differences between weather and climate.
Teachers can use this video to provide evidence of the impact of climate change on humans.
Click here for another video explaining the difference between weather and climate.
Click here for a class activity for elementary schoolers on climate and weather.
Click here for an activity on the differences between climate and weather for 6th-12th graders.

From the scientist review

The resource introduces the concept of weather and climate. The explanation given and the facts presented are valid, and this is recommended for teaching.

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At a glance

Grades: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Subjects: Earth and Space Sciences
Format: YouTube Video
Language: English
Location: Earth, North America > United States > New York > New York
Provider: NowThis Earth
Authors: NowThis Earth
Published: November 14, 2022
Last updated: July 16, 2026
: Reviewed by our climate scientists How we review

Standards alignment · MS-ESS2-5. + 7 more

Core

Core Standards legacy

MS-ESS2-5.MS-ESS2-5. Collect data to provide evidence for how the motions and complex interactions of air masses results in changes in weather conditions.
MS-ESS3-5.MS-ESS3-5. Ask questions to clarify evidence of the factors that have caused the rise in global temperatures over the past century.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.6.2CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.6.2 Interpret information presented in diverse media and formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively, orally) and explain how it contributes to a topic, text, or issue under study.
HS-ESS2-2.HS-ESS2-2. Analyze geoscience data to make the claim that one change to Earth’s surface can create feedbacks that cause changes to other Earth systems.
MS-ESS2-D.1.MS-ESS2-D.1. 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-ESS2-6)

Wisconsin Climate Education Hub

Wisconsin Climate Education Hub Standards legacy

HS-ESS2-2.HS-ESS2-2. Analyze geoscience data to make the claim that one change to Earth’s surface can create feedbacks that cause changes to other Earth systems.
MS-ESS2-5.MS-ESS2-5. Collect data to provide evidence for how the motions and complex interactions of air masses results in changes in weather conditions.
SL.6.2SL.6.2 Interpret information presented in diverse media and formats and explain how it contributes to a topic, text, or issue under study.

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