Weather is an all-encompassing term used to describe all of the many and varied phenomena that can occur in the atmosphere of a planet. The term is normally taken to mean the activity of these phenomena over short periods of time, usually no more than a few days in length. Average atmospheric conditions over significantly longer periods are known as climate. Usage of the two terms often overlaps and the concepts are obviously very closely related.

Basic mechanism

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Weather phenomena result from temperature differences around the globe, which arise mainly because areas closer to the tropics, around the equator, receive more energy from the Sun than more northern and southern regions, nearer to the Earth's poles.

More on [ Weather ]

BBC News | Wales | UK Edition

Flood chaos hits homes and roads
Fri, 05 Sep 2008 17:04:39 -0000
Emergency teams are called to hundreds of flooding incidents in homes and roads across south and west Wales.
Memorial fund for Antigua couple
Fri, 05 Sep 2008 10:35:30 -0000
The family of newly weds shot on their honeymoon launch a memorial fund to train future medics.
Father sentenced for manslaughter
Fri, 05 Sep 2008 13:39:18 -0000
A man is jailed for engaging in "mindless violence" in an incident which led to the death of a 20-year-old.
Two road crash victims identified
Fri, 05 Sep 2008 16:23:15 -0000
Police name two teenagers who died after their car was in collision with a lorry are named by police.
Experts probe ambulance breakdown
Fri, 05 Sep 2008 09:49:57 -0000
Investigations are under way to see if an ambulance breakdown was connected to a spate of recent engine fires.
Joint recycling site planned
Fri, 05 Sep 2008 05:46:32 -0000
A new food recycling facility is proposed to help two councils meet recycling targets and cut landfill waste.

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