Weather
⭐ MasteredWeather is what the atmosphere is doing right now: sunny, rainy, windy or snowy. Climate is the usual weather over many years.
Thunder is the sound of air expanding super fast around lightning.
All about Weather
Weather is what the atmosphere is doing at a particular place and time. It includes temperature, wind, rain, snow, clouds and humidity. Weather can change in minutes, and it can be very different from one day to the next.
It describes the typical weather of a region over many years, such as a desert being hot and dry or a rainforest being wet all year round.
Weather changes from day to day and even from hour to hour. It is caused by the Sun heating the air unevenly, which makes air move and creates winds, clouds and rain.
Climate is the usual weather in a place over many years. Meteorologists study the weather with satellites, radar and weather balloons to forecast what will happen next, so that people can plan and stay safe.
🎮 Try it yourself!
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👀 What the animation shows
This animation shows the Sun warming different parts of the land, air rising and moving, and clouds forming and bringing rain. Watch how the weather changes as the air moves across the map.
Real-life uses of Weather
- Deciding what clothes to wear for the day
- Helping pilots and sailors plan safe journeys
- Warning people about storms, floods and heatwaves
Frequently asked questions about Weather
What is the difference between weather and climate?
Weather is what happens day to day. Climate is the usual weather in a place over a long period, usually 30 years or more.
What causes wind?
Wind is moving air. It forms when the Sun heats the ground unevenly, causing warm air to rise and cooler air to rush in.
How do meteorologists predict the weather?
They collect data from satellites, weather stations and balloons, then use computers to model how the atmosphere will change.