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Which atmospheric conditions are included when scientists describe a region’s climate?

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World map with continents shaded in colors representing climate zones, from warm reds and yellows near the equator to cool blues and whites at the poles. — Climate Even in our warming world, there will be some chilly evenings.

When scientists describe a region’s climate, they are referring to the long-term summation of atmospheric elements and their variations over a period of time, typically spanning 30 years or more. Rather than just an "average," this description includes the average values, extreme ranges, variability, and the frequency of various occurrences.12

The primary atmospheric elements included in this assessment are:

Solar radiation12
Temperature12
Humidity12
Precipitation (including type, frequency, and amount)12
Atmospheric pressure1
Wind (speed and direction)12

These elements are essential to understanding the total experience of atmospheric behavior in a given location. While weather describes these same conditions over a limited, short-term period, climate provides a more stable, long-term perspective of the atmosphere that helps define the environmental character of a region.12