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1 vote
The climate of Houston, Texas is humid subtropical, with a temperature

range of 94.5 F to 42.2 F. For two weeks in February 2021, the temperature
range was 5 F to 40 F. How is this possible? write a response in complete
sentences, and use the terms weather and climate accurately in your answer

User Iyvin Jose
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7.8k points

2 Answers

6 votes

Answer:

See below.

Step-by-step explanation:

The terms weather and climate are different and refer to different aspects of atmospheric conditions. Weather refers to the short-term atmospheric conditions, including temperature, precipitation, wind, and humidity, over a short period of time, typically a day or a week. Climate, on the other hand, refers to the long-term average weather conditions in a particular region over a period of several decades.

In Houston, Texas, the climate is humid subtropical, with a temperature range of 94.5 F to 42.2 F. This means that the long-term average temperature in Houston falls within this range throughout the year, but there are fluctuations in temperature within this range due to weather conditions. During the two weeks in February 2021, the weather conditions in Houston led to a temperature range of 5 F to 40 F, which is lower than the long-term average temperature range for Houston.

This is possible because weather conditions can fluctuate within the larger framework of the climate of a region. In this case, the specific weather conditions that occurred during those two weeks in February 2021 caused the temperature to fall outside the typical range for Houston. However, this short-term deviation from the average temperature range does not necessarily indicate a long-term shift in Houston's climate. Climate change refers to long-term changes in the climate patterns of a region over a period of several decades, while weather changes on a much shorter timescale.

User Sebastian N
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8.0k points
3 votes

The terms "weather" and "climate" are often used interchangeably, but they actually refer to different concepts. Climate refers to the long-term patterns of temperature, precipitation, and other weather variables in a particular region. On the other hand, weather refers to the day-to-day or short-term conditions of the atmosphere in a specific place.

With that in mind, it is possible for the weather in Houston, Texas to have a temperature range of 5 F to 40 F for two weeks in February 2021, even though the climate range is from 42.2 F to 94.5 F. This is because weather is subject to short-term fluctuations, while climate reflects long-term patterns.

The climate of Houston is humid subtropical, which means that the city typically experiences hot summers and mild winters, with a high degree of humidity throughout the year. However, there can be variations in the weather patterns, such as cold fronts or heatwaves, that can cause temperatures to fluctuate significantly in the short-term. Therefore, it is not uncommon for the temperature range in Houston's weather to be much narrower or wider than the range indicated by its climate.

User Brianandere
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8.7k points
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