What does the term 'climate' refer to?

The term 'climate' refers to the long-term patterns and averages of weather conditions in a particular area, encompassing a span of years, decades, or even longer. It involves the generalization of temperature, precipitation, humidity, wind patterns, and other atmospheric conditions over time, which distinguishes it from weather that describes short-term atmospheric conditions.

This understanding allows us to see how climate is an aggregation of weather data collected over extensive periods, helping to identify trends and shifts, like seasonal changes or long-term climate change. For example, a region may have a tropical climate characterized by warm temperatures and high humidity throughout the year, while another region may have a temperate climate with more distinct seasonal variations.

In contrast, the definitions related to short-term atmospheric conditions do not encapsulate the broader concept of climate. Local weather conditions cover immediate, day-to-day variations, whereas the mentioned circumstances and variations indicate transient states rather than the overarching and stable nature of climate over time.