What is the Difference Between Weather and Climate?

Weather and climate are often confused, but they refer to different phenomena. Weather refers to the short-term atmospheric conditions in a specific area, such as temperature, humidity, and precipitation. Climate, on the other hand, represents the long-term patterns of temperature, precipitation, and other atmospheric conditions in a particular region. In South Africa, for instance, the weather might be hot and sunny on a given day, but the climate of the country is generally characterized by a mixture of temperate and subtropical climate zones. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for Grade 7 students learning about Earth and Space in their science curriculum.