Weather Or Climate?

When Michelle decided to write the latest lead post from the Climate Change Collective about the difference between Weather and Climate, I was especially intrigued.

As a Geography student I changed my degree after one year to a BSc(Hons) instead of a BA(Hons) in order that I could concentrate more on physical geography. A big part of this was the study of climate, and in particular, climate change.

A lot of people mix up the two things. Often people assume a few hot or cold days mean a change in climate but generally climate is about averages. Average rainfall, temperature and windspeed. Weather is more a description of what is happening right now in our blustery skies.

Lately, a short cold burst has led to people quickly condemning the idea of climate change. This is shortsighted and doesn’t make much sense.

Over half a century, world average temperatures have increased significantly. Occasional freak weather conditions do nothing to undo this fact.

Check out Michelle’s wonderful article to find out more about this subject. I hope that you can see how important it is to be able to distinguish between Weather and Climate.

Cold Without Snow

Why Is Winter Not Sparkling White?

When I studied my Geography degree I focused on environmental subjects alongside glaciology. It is fair to say that snow and ice has always fascinated me.

So the lack of snow in Eastern England is really irritating me.

Obviously, I blog about climate change and know what that involves. Warming temperatures naturally lead to less wintry weather and generally more rain throughout the year.

Winter is becoming more about rain and flooding, instead of traditional snow flurries and frosty gardens.

What Irritates Me?

Well, for me, the weather which we do now have in winter is generally cloudy, murky and chilly. Lots of rain and wind has replaced the beautiful snowy periods that I remember from growing up in the 1980s.

I would love to go back to weeks of snow, sledding down local hills and warming by a heater, looking out at a white village.

So yes, it feels dull to just have grey days and darker afternoons. I would much rather see snow flurries and enjoy a walk in the crisp, fresh snow just after it has fallen.

Do you miss the snow or is it still a regular feature where you live?

Thanks for reading my blog post about winter. I also write book reviews like this one about Truly Madly Guilty by Liane Moriarty. Please also consider following my blog for similar content.

So It Snowed (A Poem)

Woke up to snow

And what do you know?

The pavements were white

And the morning so bright.

With a chill in the air

And hat over my hair

I trudged down the street

Taking ‘oh so much’ care.

It is nice to see snow

With its effervescent glow.

It is right for the season

And there for a reason.

Yet some have soon claimed

Though they need not be named

That is means climate change isn’t real.

Well, you know how I feel.

The presence of snow

Is quite seasonal, you know.

With effects of El Nino

Every four years we cool…so?

The Earth is still warming

But we may find more storming.

Extremes are expected

If the climate is neglected.

Climate change is real

But we need to do a deal…

In Dubai we need more action

So the fight can gain more traction.

Thank you for reading my snow poem. For another of my poems, take a look at Terrible Turmoil. Please also consider following my blog for future similar content.