ROCHESTER, N.Y. – There may be some confusion about the difference between weather and climate, though the distinction is an important one. Weather refers to short-term atmospheric conditions meaning the day-to-day changes we experience, such as temperature, precipitation, and wind. Climate, by contrast, describes long-term trends and averages observed over many years.
A helpful way to think about this difference is through a friendly analogy. Weather is similar to your mood on any given day. As opposed to climate, which is more your overall personality.
Recently, new data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has added to growing concerns about global temperatures. According to the latest analysis, 2025 ranked as the third warmest year on record worldwide. Notably, all ten of the warmest years ever recorded have occurred since 2015.
It is important to keep this information in context. Scientists have been measuring global temperatures for well over a century, with reliable records dating back to the mid-1800s. Since the onset of the Industrial Revolution, global land and ocean temperatures have shown a clear upward trend. Much of this warming has occurred in just the past few decades, with the rate of increase accelerating during that time.
The planet is now rapidly approaching the internationally recognized threshold of 1.5 degrees Celsius of warming above pre-industrial levels. This benchmark was established as a target during the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement, which was signed by most nations in an effort to limit the most severe impacts of climate change.
At this point, there is little evidence to suggest that global warming will slow in the near future. Current trends indicate that additional warming is likely over the coming years, reinforcing the importance of continued monitoring, research, and public discussion.
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