Weather and Climate

Weather refers to short-term atmospheric conditions, such as rain, temperature, or wind at a specific time. Climate is the long-term weather patterns.

High-pressure systems are characterized by sinking, dry air, clear skies and light winds. Low-pressure systems have rising, moist air, creating clouds, precipitation, and stronger winds.

. Cold fronts occur when dense, cold air rapidly advances into warmer air, often causing steep lifting, intense, short-lived thunderstorms, and cooler, drier weather. Warm fronts occur when lighter, warm air gradually slides over a retreating cold air mass, producing light-to-moderate rain, cloudy skies, and milder weather.

causing uneven heating of the surface, which powers the movement of air and water. This energy fuels evaporation from the hydrosphere, driving the water cycle, while creating convection currents in the atmosphere that create winds, pressure systems, and storms.

 Heating the overlying air, causing it to rise rapidly and create a low-pressure zone.