When temperatures plummet, people often question global warming. Comments like, “If the planet’s warming, why am I bundled up in a jacket?” are common. The confusion stems from misunderstanding the difference between weather and climate, two related but distinct concepts.
Meteorologists and climate scientists frequently address this topic. For years, Ginger Zee, ABC News Chief Meteorologist and Climate Correspondent, has been asked why we still experience chilly days or even snow despite the planet warming overall. Similarly, Marshall Shepherd, director of the Atmospheric Sciences Program at the University of Georgia, often encounters skepticism when people witness snowstorms and wonder how climate change fits into the picture.
What Is Weather, and What Is Climate?
Weather reflects short-term atmospheric conditions. It’s what you feel when you step outside—whether it’s hot, rainy, cold, or windy on a specific day. Climate, on the other hand, refers to the long-term patterns and statistics of weather.
“Think of climate as more than just average weather,” Shepherd explains. “It encompasses extremes—highs, lows, and everything in between.”
Seasonal shifts also come into play. Earth’s tilted axis and orbit around the sun create cycles like summer and winter. These variations mean that even in a warming world, cold weather, snow, and other seasonal extremes will still occur.
Why Do We Still Get Snow and Cold?
A warming climate doesn’t eliminate weather variability. Instead, it influences the overall trend. For example, while the number of extremely cold events is declining globally, they haven’t disappeared. A study led by Shepherd in 2016 found that while extremely cold days are becoming less frequent due to human-induced global warming, there’s a noticeable rise in extremely hot days.
This contrast can make cold snaps more memorable. When they occur, they stand out against a backdrop of generally milder winters.
The Role of Geography and Global Trends
It’s important to remember that climate change refers to global averages. While one region might experience a harsh winter, another could be facing heatwaves or drought. Ginger Zee notes that people often think locally, but scientists analyze climate trends on a planetary scale.
Metaphors to Understand the Difference
Scientists often use analogies to clarify the difference between weather and climate. For instance, Shepherd describes weather as your mood and climate as your personality. Another common comparison likens weather to a dog and climate to the dog walker. The dog may zigzag unpredictably, but the walker determines the overall direction.
Yet, as Yarrow Axford, a Northwestern University professor, points out, the metaphor has limits. With the pace of climate change accelerating, the “dog walker” may now struggle to keep up with the erratic “dog.”
What the Future Holds
As global warming continues, we’ll still experience winter storms, cold fronts, and snow. These events remind us that variability is part of Earth’s climate system. But the bigger picture is clear: the planet is warming, and understanding the distinction between weather and climate is crucial in appreciating how these changes impact us all.
So, the next time someone questions the science during a chilly day, you’ll know how to explain the difference—and why a cold snap doesn’t disprove a warming world.
