Weather vs. Climate

Which of the following is an example of a weather event?

• A hurricane forming in the Atlantic Ocean.

• The average rainfall in a rainforest.

• The melting of polar ice caps.

• The increase in global temperatures over decades.

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DOK Level 1: Recall

Identify the scenario that represents weather.

• The Sahara Desert is hot and dry.

• It rained heavily in New York City yesterday.

• The Amazon rainforest receives a lot of rain annually.

• The Arctic is experiencing a decrease in ice cover.

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DOK Level 2: Skill/Concept

How can scientists determine climate patterns?

• By observing daily weather changes.

• By measuring the temperature at noon every day.

• By analyzing data over many years.

• By predicting tomorrow's weather.

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DOK Level 2: Skill/Concept

Which of the following is NOT an example of a weather event, but is an example of climate?

• A tornado touching down in Kansas.

• A heatwave lasting a week.

• The average annual snowfall in Alaska.

• A thunderstorm in the afternoon.

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DOK Level 2: Skill/Concept

Why is it important to distinguish between weather and climate?

• To predict tomorrow's weather accurately.

• To understand long-term environmental changes.

• To decide what to wear each day.

• To measure the amount of rainfall in a storm.

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DOK Level 3: Strategic Thinking

Which of the following is a characteristic of a region's climate?

• The temperature at noon today.

• The average temperature over 30 years.

• The amount of rain last week.

• The wind speed during a storm.

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DOK Level 1: Recall

What is a key difference between weather and climate?

• Weather is predictable, climate is not.

• Weather is short-term, climate is long-term.

• Weather affects only temperature, climate affects only precipitation.

• Weather is constant, climate changes daily.

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DOK Level 2: Skill/Concept

​ (a)   can change day to day or even hour to hour. ​ (b)   is the long-term conditions of an area.

• Weather
• Climate

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Chicago received more snow this decade(ten years) than in past decades(ten years).

• Weather

• Climate

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

Is this an example of weather or climate?

We can expect rain on Saturday.

• Weather
• Climate

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5