Weather vs Climate

Overview

The concepts of climate and weather relate to the same information, but at different scales. Moreover, there is the implication that there is a difference in spatial scale between these two concepts.

The intent of this problem is to put the short term weather events into their historical and spatial context of the climate.

The characteristics of the recent weather are critical in understanding observations made on the vegetation, as well as farming and other human activities.

Key Concepts

There are a number of concepts which are important in understanding the environments in which the Field School will be operating.

• Drought
• Dry spell
• Flood
• Phenology
• Orgographic
• Jet stream
• Trade winds
• High and low pressure
• Climate diagram
• Koppen classification
• Bioclimatic zone

Tools and Data

The following tools and data are relevant to a variety of scales and include information relevant to Hawai`i and Kaua`i.

• Climate Analysis Tools and Data

Skills and Behaviors

Novice

• Has little awareness of the weather beyond the current conditions.
• Is not interested in weather predictions, either short- or long-term.
• Has no knowledge of past weather conditions, except perhaps extraordinary events.
• Makes no particular effort to anticipate needs for future weather events (e.g., upcoming rain).
• Has little knowledge of the local factors that influence the weather and climate.
• Knows about seasonal patterns, but only for the local region.

Advanced Beginner

• Pays some attention to the current weather patterns.
• Periodically checks near-term weather predictions.
• Has some knowledge of the past weather patterns beyond the occurrence of extraordinary events.
• Understands and can explain the majority of the broad regional factors that include the weather and climate.
• Knows about the regional differences in patterns, including seasonal differences.

Competent

• Is knowledgeable about the weather over the entire continent.
• Frequently checks on weather predictions over continent-wide areas.
• Uses satellite, radar and other images to help understand the local, regional and continent-wide patterns.
• Understands the broad (global) factors that influence the weather and climate patterns.
• Handles data which are related weather and climate and portrays these in ways in which patterns can be discerned.
• Discusses the importance of climate change and relates this to local weather observations.
• Observes phenological patterns and notes changes in the timing of events when these occur.
• Is comfortable using a variety of graphical tools to portray and explain climate patterns.
• Has the ability to construct and maintain a standard weather station from commercially-available sensors and recorders.
• Monitors extreme weather events.
• Understands the systems used to place sites in bioclimatic zones.

Proficient

• Creates maps which involve climate-related phenomena.
• Constructs and maintains a network of weather stations.

Expert

• Experiments with new visualization techniques.
• Uses real-time links to weather information and monitors these sources for interesting events.