Key Takeaways & Summary
Consolidate your understanding with essential concepts and a quick knowledge check
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Weather = hours to weeks. Climate = decades to centuries. They operate on fundamentally different timescales.
Data Requirements Differ
Weather needs real-time observations. Climate needs 30+ years of averaged data to reveal trends.
Signal vs Noise
Weather is the noise—daily fluctuations. Climate is the signal—the long-term trend beneath the noise.
Policy Implications
Climate policy must be based on decades of data, not reactions to individual weather events.
Quick Reference Chart
| Aspect | Weather | Climate |
|---|---|---|
| Timescale | Minutes to weeks | Decades to millennia |
| Predictability | 1-10 days ahead | Decades to centuries |
| Example | "It's raining today" | "Mediterranean climate" |
| Data Needed | Real-time observations | 30+ years of averages |
| Variability | High (day-to-day) | Low (long-term trend) |
Knowledge Check
Test your understanding with these quick questions:
1. A heat wave lasts for 2 weeks in July. This is an example of:
2. The average July temperature has increased 2°C over 50 years. This is an example of:
3. How many years of data do climate scientists typically use to define climate normals?