Weather, climate and climate regions
Weather and climate, how wind and clouds form, rain shadows, and the factors that affect climate. Read one part at a time and tap “I know this”. Then test yourself in the quiz.
Know it already? Jump straight to the quiz
Weather and climate
Weather is the state of the atmosphere at one place and time. Climate is the average weather of an area over many years: “The Karoo is hot and dry for most of the year” describes climate. Farmers need to know the climate, because it decides which crops will grow.
- The sun’s energy drives nearly all weather.
- Wind blows because air flows from high to low pressure.
- Clouds form when water vapour rises, cools and condenses.
- Humidity is the water vapour in the air; a rain gauge measures rain and an anemometer wind speed.
The rain shadow
The windward side is the side of a mountain the wind blows against. The moist air rises, cools and rains out. On the other side, the leeward side, dry air sinks: this is the rain shadow. That is why the Little Karoo is much drier than the Garden Route coast, which gets rain in every season.
What affects climate
| Factor | Effect |
|---|---|
| Latitude | Near the equator: more direct sunlight, warmer |
| Altitude | The higher, the colder |
| Distance from the sea | Coastal places have milder temperatures than inland |
| Ocean currents | A cold current makes the coast cooler and drier |
| Climate | Feature |
|---|---|
| Tropical | Heavy rain all year; rainforest |
| Desert | Very little rain; big day–night swings |
| Temperate | Four clear seasons |
| Mediterranean | Winter rain, hot dry summer |
| Polar | The coldest; ice most of the year |
Climate change is a long-term shift in the average weather pattern, not just one cold week.
Remember this and test yourself
- Weather is the atmosphere at one place and time; climate is the average weather over many years.
- The sun drives nearly all weather. Wind blows from high to low pressure; clouds form when water vapour rises, cools and condenses.
- The windward side of a mountain gets rain; the leeward side is in the rain shadow, like the Little Karoo.
- Climate depends on latitude, altitude, distance from the sea and ocean currents (cold current = cooler and drier).
- The Garden Route coast gets rain in every season. Climate change is a long-term shift in the average pattern.
Write these points in your book. Read them again the night before the test.
Windward = wet (the wind hits the mountain). Leeward = lacking rain (the dry side behind).
Important words
First say what the word means, then turn the card over.
Match column A to column B
Tap a word in column A, then its meaning in column B. You can also start in column B.
True or false?
Read the question and the answer. Is the answer right? Tap True or False.
Now the real quiz!
The quiz has many more questions on this topic. Every question shows straight away whether you are right and explains why.
Take the quiz: Weather, climate and climate regions- Read one part together and ask your child to tell it back in their own words.
- The ticks (“I know this”) are saved on this device only. We never ask for names or emails.
Follows CAPS for Grade 7 Social Sciences (Geography). Always check your teacher’s notes and textbook too.