What Is the Difference Between Weather and Climate?

Is this a question your students have been asking you in your science class? While these two terms are related, let’s take a closer look at what these terms mean. 

Weather refers to short-term atmospheric conditions in a specific area at a particular time, while climate refers to long-term average weather patterns observed over a region or the entire planet. Weather changes quickly and is focused on the immediate conditions, while climate is more stable and represents broader trends over a longer period.

If you are looking for an activity to help your students understand the difference between these two concepts, you have come to the right place! Teach Starter has created a set of interactive slides to help your students strengthen their understanding of these science terms. 

This interactive activity has 7 different activities to keep your students engaged while learning about climate and weather. The activities included are:

• Vocabulary matching
• Watch and answer
• Weather tools matching
• Comprehension passage and questions
• Sorting activity
• Mystery reveal activity

Tips for Differentiation + Scaffolding 

A team of dedicated, experienced educators created this resource to support your science lessons.

In addition to individual student work time, use this activity to enhance learning through guided science groups, whole class lessons or remote learning assignments. 

If you have a mixture of above and below-level learners, we have a few suggestions for keeping students on track with these concepts: 

🆘 Support Struggling Students

For students who need additional support, consider using this activity in a one-on-one setting or limiting the number of activities required to complete.

➕ Challenge Fast Finishers

Students who might need more of a challenge could create a Venn diagram explaining the differences between weather and climate. For something more hands-on, they could research 1 of the 5 climate zones and create a presentation on it to share with the class.

🧑‍🏫 Group Learning

Project the slides onto a screen and work through them as a class by having students record their answers in their notebooks or mini whiteboards. 

Easily Prepare This Resource for Your Students

Use the Download button to access this resource’s interactive Google Slides version. 

Assign this interactive activity in Google Classroom. Please be sure to open in Edit mode, not presentation mode. Students will drag and drop, type, and draw lines to complete the activities.

This resource was created by Stephanie Weinkauf, a teacher in New Mexico and a Teach Starter Collaborator.

Don’t stop there! We’ve got more activities and resources that cut down on lesson planning time:  

teaching resource

Weather vs. Climate – Task Cards

Differentiate between weather and climate by answering questions and responding to writing prompts and with this set of 24 task cards.

teaching resource

Weather Versus Climate Poster

A poster explaining the difference between weather and climate.

teaching resource

Climate Zone Map — Printable Classroom Resource

Print a climate zone map for the classroom to support lessons about the 6 climate types.