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Weather vs. Climate in the Rio Grande Valley

Activity

What is the Difference?

Take a walk around your school and observe the weather—note if it’s sunny, cloudy, rainy, or windy, and how the temperature feels. Pay attention to any changes in the environment, like how the trees sway or how the air feels. Then, compare today’s weather to the typical climate for this time of year in the Rio Grande Valley, which is generally warm in the fall and hot in the summer. Discuss how today’s weather fits with or differs from what is expected, and describe how weather is different from climate.

Science Seed

Weather describes the short-term conditions in the atmosphere, like temperature, humidity, wind, and precipitation that can change from hour to hour or day to day. For example, today it might be sunny and warm, while tomorrow could bring clouds and rain. Climate, however, refers to the long-term average of weather patterns over a much longer time period, such as decades. In the Rio Grande Valley, the climate is typically hot and dry during the summer months, with mild, sometimes rainy winters. By understanding how daily weather fits into long-term climate trends, climatology helps us track changes over time, recognize shifting seasonal patterns, and predict how environmental factors, like droughts or increased rainfall, may shape local ecosystems and communities.

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earn Badges

Badges can be earned through hands-on experiences within each of the 16 branches of science, or “Science Slices.” You can earn a badge in each branch of science by doing four activities in these categories. We also encourage participants to keep a Nature Journal to record their memories, and to express themselves creatively through writing or drawing after each activity. We recommend that each child (and parent if they’d like) write or draw in a journal after each activity, with expectations of your children that match their age (the goal is self-expression, not perfection).

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join Families in Nature

It is our vision to inspire all families to fall in love with nature and foster the next generation of conservationists. Becoming a member of Families in Nature will give your family the opportunity to have adventures in nature, experience field science, develop as youth conservation leaders, and make memories that will last a lifetime. Memberships are free for everyone.

Who are we?

Families in Nature works to create opportunities for nature connection with the purpose of sparking a deep love and desire to protect, conserve and restore the environment. Our mission is to connect children and their families to nature and to each other through time spent learning, playing, and volunteering outdoors. It is our vision to inspire ALL families to fall in love with nature and foster the next generation of conservationists.

This project was made possible by HEB.