Today there exist several fields and areas that study various topics in detail and provide information to the people. To study the weather and other details of the atmosphere of a certain place, there are several departments in which various people work to provide the necessary information to the people in that respective location.
To know the weather and other climate conditions of a particular place, these departments study various factors to gather information and inform the people in the vicinity regarding that. They also help to make people aware if there is any calamity or extreme change in the weather that is likely to take place. Two of these departments are 1. Climatology and 2. Meteorology.
Climatology vs Meteorology
The main difference between climatology and meteorology is the changes that are entailed by each of them. In climatology, long-term changes that occur in the climate of a respective location are studied and displayed. On the other hand, in meteorology, short-term changes that occur in the climate of a respective location are studied and displayed.
The field or area in which the atmosphere of a particular location and the entire physics regarding it and other data involved in meteorology is studied is known as climatology. The various factors and features that a particular place possesses affect the atmosphere and climate of a certain place. All these things are studied in climatology.
The field or area in which the atmosphere of a certain location is studied to forecast the weather is known as meteorology. The field of meteorology is useful in many ways. It makes sure that people living in a certain place are informed and well aware of the weather details in their location. They keep frequent records of the weather.
Comparison Table Between Climatology and Meteorology
| Parameters Of Comparison | Climatology | Meteorology |
| Meaning/ Definition | The field or area in which the atmosphere of a particular location and the entire physics regarding it and other data involved in the meteorology is studied is known as climatology. | The field or area in which the atmosphere of a certain location is studied to forecast the weather is known as meteorology. |
| Climate study | Long-term changes in the climate are studied. | Short-term changes in the climate are studied. |
| Oriented on | Past | Present and future. |
| Atmospheric processes | The atmospheric processes that take place in the long term are explained. | The atmospheric processes that take place in the short term are explained. |
| References | It refers to the data that is collected in meteorology. | It refers to the physical science to explain the changes and differences in the climate. |
What is Climatology?
Climatology is a field or area in which the atmosphere of a particular location and the entire physics regarding it and other data involved in meteorology is studied. In this field, the climate of the entire earth surface is studied by making use of the data that is recorded by various meteorological departments from various locations.
Climatology is related to various other concepts that also study similar subject matter. It also makes use of various other fields that are subfields of earth sciences. These include atmospheric sciences, physical geography, oceanography, biochemistry, etc. The people who learn the concepts that are included in climatology are known are climatologists.
The various physical processes that are responsible for climate change on the earth and various other processes that are responsible for determining climate change are also studied in climatology. A clear knowledge of atmospheric sciences and other subject matter that is relevant to know and understand the weather necessary.
A brief knowledge about the concepts that are required to determine climate changes also includes knowing various concepts regarding space and constellations, oscillations and planetary movements, etc. By taking into consideration various factors, a climate model is made by climatologists. It explains the climate thoroughly.
What is Meteorology?
Meteorology is the field or area in which the atmosphere of a certain location is studied to forecast the weather. The weather of a particular location can be determined in various ways. However, understanding the climatic changes and weather status is one of the important things. It makes people aware of the weather changes that they are about to experience or they may experience.
The technological advancements that took place over time made various modern changes in the field of meteorology. It progressed over time, and atmospheric sciences evolved even more. The application of meteorology is vast, and it is useful in many areas and has great importance. Meteorology engages in the study of various other concepts as well.
The entire concept of meteorology wraps around a single purpose of the weather forecast. However, if it is combined with other concepts and fields, one can also study different other natural resources. Meteorology comes under the category of atmospheric sciences along with climatology, atmospheric physics, and chemistry.
Many fields like the military and agriculture make use of meteorology. Other than that, it is also useful in energy conservation and production, construction purposes, transport, and trade, etc. People get an insight as to what kind of weather they would experience in their upcoming days, and this makes them prepared for it. It also helps them to get awarded and cautious.
Main Differences Between Climatology and Meteorology
- Climatology refers to the data recorded in meteorology. On the other hand, meteorology refers to the data that is collected during their studies regarding various climatic conditions and their changes.
- To understand climatology better, one must know various things about the concepts like astronomy, physical geography, atmospheric science, etc. On the other hand, to understand meteorology better, one must know a thing or two about atmospheric sciences.
- Climatology prioritizes the data recorded in the past. On the other hand, meteorology prioritizes the data that is supposed to be recorded in the future and present.
- Climatology involves the indirect dependency on the data recorded in meteorology. On the other hand, meteorology does not involve anything of that sort.
- The climatic conditions and changes that are recorded in climatology are from centuries and years. On the other hand, the climatic conditions and changes recorded in meteorology are short-term and are recorded daily.
Conclusion
Both fields, climatology, and meteorology help people to understand the factors involved in climatic changes and various climatic conditions. It gives a fair idea about the weather, and the predictions that are made by them are quite accurate. People stay prepared to face various climatic conditions because of the data provided by these departments.
Other applications of climatology and meteorology are also useful. Many important fields make use of these concepts to acquire the whereabouts of weather and climate of their respective location. Many calamities and disasters are also predicted by them.
References
- https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/mono/10.4324/9780429345050/climatology-austin-miller
- https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=N8Gwc-IXxbMC&oi=fnd&pg=PP2&dq=meteorology&ots=EIIrAaBg7J&sig=WwV49bcE4fKn0SoEB5RboNVZVLU