Introduction

Often, the difference between the terms climate and weather is not clearly understood. The term climate refers to the long-term average weather conditions over a period of time for a given place whereas weather indicates the state of atmosphere for a given place at a given time.

The change in climate is a slower process as compared to changes in weather and the climate change occurs over longer time scales. Space wise also, the climate has wider range whereas weather may change over very small distances. The study of climate - its development, change and factors affecting it, is called climatology.

12.2