The weather of a place is the day to day condition of the atmosphere, e.g. sunny, snowing, warm etc.

Climate is an average of weather conditions (e.g. rain, sun, wind) in a place taken over a long period of time (usually 30 years or more).

Climate zones are areas that have similar weather conditions and climate, e.g. the tropics.

The differences between climate zones and biomes

Geography

Introducing climate

Using lines of latitude to locate the main climate zones

Climate data and patterns

Adaptations of plants and animals in different biomes

Climate change

This unit directly links to settlement, understanding connections between climate and where people live. This also underpins understanding needed in 'The Americas: How diverse are its places and landscapes?', 'South America: Why does the Amazon matter?', 'Natural resources: what are they, where are they and why are they important?' and 'Farms and factories: Where does our food come from?'.

This unit builds on learning about the water cycle to develop understanding of the spatial patterns of water and energy. It also builds on 'Cold places: What is it like at the North and South Poles?' and 'Hot places: What is it like near the Equator?'. It develops on 'Contrasting locality: What is it like to live in (named location) in Jamaica?') by introducing the major lines of latitude.

This unit introduces climate zones around the world. Pupils use maps and climate data to spot patterns, compare environments, and explore how plants and animals adapt to different conditions. The unit also introduces climate change.

Climate zones: what are they and why do they matter?

weather, plants and animals adapted to living there

A biome is a region of the world that has similar climate, ...

different - one climate zone can have more than one biome

the same - climate zone is another name for biome

different - one biome can have more than one climate zone in it

Why do very few plants and animals live in the hot desert biome?

between the tropics and the temperate climate zone

in the far north of Canada, Russia and Scandinavia

Hot and wet all year round and have many plants

It is too dry for most animals to survive here

The top layer of soil there is frozen almost all of the time

These are located between tropical rainforests and deserts

Match these biomes to the correct description.

the condition of the atmosphere taken over a long period of time.

the condition outside each day e.g. raining, snowy, windy. 

taken over a long time, usually 30 years.

The climate of a place is the average weather conditions (e.g. rainy, sunny, windy) ...

The polar regions are an example of a ...

Between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn

Put these key lines of latitude in order from north to south.

Starter Quiz

The weather in a place is ...