Weather and
Climate Basics
Weather Wonders
 
    
    
       
       
    
 
 
 
 
Climate Change
 
 
 
 
 
 
   

What Is the Big Picture?

Take a step back and, from a global perspective, look at the large-scale phenomena that influence the Earth system. Described in this section are the big factors that influence weather and climate worldwide: the Sun, the water cycle, and the atmosphere.

Perhaps the largest influence on our planet’s weather and climate is the Sun because the amount of sunlight a location receives will determine its climate. Additionally, changes in the Sun’s intensity through time and changes in the amount of sunlight let into the Earth system can drastically affect our world.

The amount of solar energy received at any location on Earth will affect the amount of precipitation and evaporation. This endless process of water transport, from clouds to ground and back again, is called the water cycle.

Our atmosphere protects Earth from extreme temperatures and provides the stage for dramatic weather events.