Glossary
The English version of our glossary is currently under construction and will be regularly updated.
Climate
Climate in the stricter sense is defined as the mean status of the atmosphere in a given place or region over an extended timeframe.
Climate in the stricter sense is normally defined as the mean status of the atmosphere in a given place or region over an extended timeframe, or more precisely as the statistical description of the weather in the form of mean values and the variability of relevant parameters over a certain timeframe, which can range from months to thousands or even millions of years. The “classic” period used by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) is 30 years. The relevant parameters are most often surface variables like temperature, precipitation and wind. Climate in the broader sense refers to the state of the climate system, including a statistical description.