Climate Data and Observations

Ice core records provide a continuous record of past climate conditions, including temperature, precipitation, and atmospheric composition, extending back thousands of years.

A thermometer is used to measure the temperature of the air, typically placed in a shaded area to avoid direct sunlight.

Climate refers to the average weather conditions over a long period of time, typically 30 years or more, and includes factors such as temperature, precipitation, humidity, and wind patterns.

Carbon dioxide (CO₂) is the primary greenhouse gas responsible for the enhanced greenhouse effect and global warming, primarily due to human activities such as fossil fuel combustion.

Climate variability refers to the natural variations in climate patterns over periods of years to decades, such as El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO).

El Niño is a climate phenomenon characterized by unusually high sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean, leading to changes in weather patterns worldwide.

The primary cause of the observed increase in global average temperatures over the past century is human activities, particularly the burning of fossil fuels and the release of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.

Climate change refers to the long-term shift in climate patterns, typically over decades or longer, resulting from natural processes or human activities.

An anemometer is used to measure wind speed and direction, typically consisting of cups or propellers that rotate in response to the wind.

Climate extremes refer to extreme weather events, such as heat waves, droughts, floods, and wildfires, that are becoming more frequent and intense due to climate change.

Average precipitation refers to the average amount of precipitation received in a particular area over a long period of time, typically calculated over a 30-year period.

A barometer is used to measure atmospheric pressure, which is the weight of the air above a given point.