Climate

Climate is determined by the long-term pattern of oceanic and atmospheric conditions at a location. Climate is described by statistics, such as means and extremes of temperature, precipitation, and other variables, and by the intensity, frequency, and duration of weather events. Over Earth's history, indications of climate change have been recorded in fossils and ice core samples. At one extreme, climate change can result in extended periods of heat and drought; at the other, extensive glaciation. Currently, our planet's global surface temperature is rising. This change is linked to human activities that increase the amount of greenhouse gases (e.g., carbon dioxide and methane) in the atmosphere. It is important to understand climatic processes because they have the potential to affect environmental conditions. 

Showing 4 of 4 Education Resource Collections
A diagram of the carbon cycle with arrows showing the movement of carbon through a landscape with plants and animals, mountains and a volcano, a river leading to the ocean, and an industrial area. Carbon moves in and out of our atmosphere, ocean, waterways, and soil through burning fossil fuels, precipitation, fires, vegetation, volcanoes, and organic processes.
Carbon cycle

Carbon is the chemical backbone of life on Earth. Carbon compounds regulate the Earth’s temperature, make up the food that sustains us, and provide energy that fuels our global economy.

Focus areas:
Education
Programs:
Resource collections
Topics:
climate literacy
carbon capture and storage
education
A diagram of the carbon cycle with arrows showing the movement of carbon through a landscape with plants and animals, mountains and a volcano, a river leading to the ocean, and an industrial area. Carbon moves in and out of our atmosphere, ocean, waterways, and soil through burning fossil fuels, precipitation, fires, vegetation, volcanoes, and organic processes.
A graphic of the Earth’s orbit around the sun. Meteorological seasons: Winter starts on Dec. 1, spring on Mar. 1, summer on June 1, and fall on Sept. 1. Astronomical seasons: Winter begins on the winter solstice (Dec. 21) when the North Pole is tilted to the max extent away from the sun, spring begins on the spring equinox (Mar. 20), summer begins on the summer solstice (June 21), when the North Pole is tilted to the max extent toward the sun, and fall begins on the autumnal equinox (Sept.21).
Changing seasons

In many parts of the United States, you might change your wardrobe with the seasons, grabbing a heavy coat in winter, while wearing only a light t-shirt in summer. Although ecosystems, plants, and animals cannot adjust their attire quite so easily, they have evolved to make changes that help them survive seasonal conditions caused by the rotation of the Earth around the sun.

Focus areas:
Education
Topics:
climate outlooks
seasons
education
A graphic of the Earth’s orbit around the sun. Meteorological seasons: Winter starts on Dec. 1, spring on Mar. 1, summer on June 1, and fall on Sept. 1. Astronomical seasons: Winter begins on the winter solstice (Dec. 21) when the North Pole is tilted to the max extent away from the sun, spring begins on the spring equinox (Mar. 20), summer begins on the summer solstice (June 21), when the North Pole is tilted to the max extent toward the sun, and fall begins on the autumnal equinox (Sept.21).
A collage of typical climate and weather-related events: floods, heatwaves, drought, hurricanes, wildfires and loss of glacial ice.
Climate change impacts

We often think about human-induced climate change as something that will happen in the future, but it is happening now. Ecosystems and people in the United States and around the world are affected by the ongoing process of climate change today.

Focus areas:
Education
Topics:
climate literacy
climate impacts
education
A collage of typical climate and weather-related events: floods, heatwaves, drought, hurricanes, wildfires and loss of glacial ice.
A true color satellite image of North America with some cloud cover.
Climate data monitoring

Some say that climate is what you expect and weather is what you get. More formally, climate is the long-term average of temperature, precipitation, and other weather variables at a given location. Every 30 years, climate scientists calculate new averages. The normal high and low temperatures reported on your local weather forecast come from these 30-year averages. Although climate describes conditions in the atmosphere (hot/cold, wet/dry), these conditions are influenced by the ocean, land, sun, and atmospheric chemistry. NOAA monitors these factors to understand and predict changes to local or global climate.

Focus areas:
Education
Topics:
climate literacy
climate data
education
A true color satellite image of North America with some cloud cover.