5th Grade Science

A fun and engaging exploration of physical and chemical changes, Earth's systems, and scientific reasoning for 5th grade students.

Advanced Topics

Weather and Climate

Understanding Weather

Weather is what’s happening in the atmosphere right now, like rain, sunshine, or snow.

What Is Climate?

Climate is the average weather in a place over a long period of time.

Differences Between Weather and Climate

  • Weather can change quickly; climate changes slowly.
  • Weather is what you get; climate is what you expect.

How Do We Measure Weather?

Tools like thermometers (for temperature), rain gauges (for precipitation), and anemometers (for wind) help us understand weather patterns.

Why Are Weather and Climate Important?

Weather affects what we wear each day. Climate affects where plants and animals can live.

Examples

  • A thunderstorm happening this afternoon.

  • Deserts having hot, dry climates.

In a Nutshell

Weather is short-term atmospheric conditions, while climate is the long-term average.

Weather and Climate - 5th Grade Science Content | Practice Hub