Climate is generally defined as average weather, and as such, climate change and weather are intertwined. Observations can show that there have been changes in weather, and it is the statistics of changes in weather over time that identify climate change. While weather and climate are closely related, there are important differences.
A common confusion between weather and climate arises when scientists are asked how they can predict climate 50 years from now when they cannot predict the weather a few weeks from now. The chaotic nature of weather makes it unpredictable beyond a few days. Projecting changes in climate (i.e., long-term average weather) due to changes in atmospheric composition or other factors is a very different and much more manageable issue. As an analogy, while it is impossible to predict the age at which any particular man will die, we can say with high confidence that the average age of death for men in industrialised countries is about 75.
Another common confusion of these issues is thinking that a cold winter or a cooling spot on the globe is evidence against global warming. There are always extremes of hot and cold, although their frequency and intensity change as climate changes. But when weather is averaged over space and time, the fact that the globe is warming emerges clearly from the data.
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The difference between weather and climate is a measure of time. Weather is what conditions of the atmosphere are over a short period of time, and climate is how the atmosphere "behaves" over relatively long periods of time.
When we talk about climate change, we talk about changes in long-term averages of daily weather. Today, children always hear stories from their parents and grandparents about how snow was always piled up to their waists as they trudged off to school. Children today in most areas of the country haven't experienced those kinds of dreadful snow-packed winters, except for the Northeastern U.S. in January 2005. The change in recent winter snows indicate that the climate has changed since their parents were young.
If summers seem hotter lately, then the recent climate may have changed. In various parts of the world, some people have even noticed that springtime comes earlier now than it did 30 years ago. An earlier springtime is indicative of a possible change in the climate.
In addition to long-term climate change, there are shorter term climate variations. This so-called climate variability can be represented by periodic or intermittent changes related to El Niño, La Niña, volcanic eruptions, or other changes in the Earth system.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/noaa-n/climate/climate_weather.html
Recommended topic, thank you so much for sharing this question. Beside, I do agree with the all above mentioned comments.
Emad
The question is relevant in the present day discussion on climate change, weather, global warming etc. The scientific community even the common people are highly interested to know about climate change. Various questions regarding climate on researchgate also reflect the same.
The document provided by Dr. K.Karthik gives good information on the question; it is a part of the following report:
"Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC 2007) - Contribution of Working Group I"
The answers of common questions related to climate (FAQ) were compiled from the above report for general awareness.
This is attached for reserachgate readers; probably, you may get answers of several questions concerning climate (Though some experts may not agree with all the explanations in the report).
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