Climates
Climate refers to the long-term patterns of temperature, humidity, wind, precipitation, and other atmospheric variables in a region. It describes averages and variability over long periods, typically 30 years or more. Weather, by contrast, denotes short-term conditions.
The climate system involves the atmosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere, biosphere, and lithosphere. Primary drivers include latitude and
Climate zones are commonly described using classification schemes such as the Köppen climate classification, which groups
Climates exhibit natural variability on seasonal, annual, and decadal timescales due to phenomena like El Niño–Southern
Climate data are gathered from weather stations, ships, buoys, satellites, and paleoclimate proxies. Global climate models