Final answer:
The statement that climate is the state of the atmosphere over a short period of time is false. Climate refers to the long-term atmospheric conditions, whereas weather pertains to short-term variations.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement "Climate is the state of the atmosphere at a given time in a given place over a short period of time" is false. Climate refers to the long-term, predictable atmospheric conditions of a specific area and is characterized by having consistent seasonal temperature and rainfall ranges that last through decades and centuries. This is distinguished from weather, which refers to the atmospheric conditions over a short period of time, such as day-to-day variations - this includes forecasts made for 48-hour cycles. Modern farming, for instance, is highly sensitive to climate, as a drop or rise in average temperature can have significant effects on crop yields. A saying that encapsulates this difference is "Climate is what you expect, and weather is what you get."