Weather vs. Season — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on October 5, 2023
Weather refers to atmospheric conditions at a specific time and place, including temperature, precipitation, and wind. Season is a period characterized by specific weather patterns, usually recurring yearly.
Difference Between Weather and Season
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Weather and season are terms closely related to atmospheric conditions, but they differ in duration, predictability, and characteristics. Weather represents the short-term changes in atmospheric conditions we experience daily. It encompasses variables like temperature, humidity, precipitation, and wind speed. Season, on the other hand, refers to a prolonged period, usually a few months, characterized by a particular pattern of weather. The four primary seasons—spring, summer, fall (or autumn), and winter—are driven by the Earth's tilt and its orbit around the sun.
A simple way to distinguish between weather and season is by considering the timescale. Weather can change multiple times a day—it could be sunny in the morning, cloudy in the afternoon, and rainy by evening. Seasons, in contrast, last months and represent a broader and more predictable pattern of weather typical for that time of the year. While weather can be sporadic and volatile, seasons follow a cyclical pattern.
Another aspect to ponder upon is the cause. Weather fluctuations arise from immediate atmospheric conditions and can be influenced by various factors, from ocean currents to volcanic eruptions. Seasons stem from the axial tilt of the Earth and its orbit around the sun. As the Earth orbits, different parts receive varying amounts of sunlight, leading to the changing seasons.
To provide some context, imagine planning an outdoor event. The season can give you a general idea of what to expect—winter might be cold, summer might be warm. But to decide on the specific day, you'd check the weather forecast to ensure it's not rainy or stormy on that particular day.
Conclusively, while both weather and season relate to atmospheric patterns, weather denotes short-term changes, whereas season encapsulates a broader, more predictable time frame of recurring weather patterns.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Short-term atmospheric conditions.
Period with a specific weather pattern, recurring yearly.
Duration
Can change hourly or daily.
Lasts months.
Predictability
Can be volatile and unpredictable.
Follows a predictable yearly cycle.
Factors
Influenced by immediate atmospheric conditions.
Result of Earth's tilt and orbit around the sun.
Examples
Rain, sunshine, snow, wind.
Spring, summer, fall, winter.
Compare with Definitions
Weather
Short-term variations in atmospheric conditions.
The weather forecast predicts rain for the afternoon.
Season
A time period characterized by specific weather patterns.
My favorite season is spring because of the blooming flowers.
Weather
The immediate state of temperature, humidity, and precipitation.
The cold weather necessitated wearing a jacket.
Season
A prolonged period with consistent weather patterns.
The rainy season ensures our crops get ample water.
Weather
The current conditions of the atmosphere in a region.
Always check the weather before heading out for a trek.
Season
A season is a division of the year based on changes in weather, ecology, and the number of daylight hours in a given region. On Earth, seasons are the result of Earth's orbit around the Sun and Earth's axial tilt relative to the ecliptic plane.
Weather
Weather is the state of the atmosphere, describing for example the degree to which it is hot or cold, wet or dry, calm or stormy, clear or cloudy. On Earth, most weather phenomena occur in the lowest layer of the planet's atmosphere, the troposphere, just below the stratosphere.
Season
Each of the four divisions of the year (spring, summer, autumn, and winter) marked by particular weather patterns and daylight hours, resulting from the earth's changing position with regard to the sun.
Weather
The state of the atmosphere at a given time and place, with respect to variables such as temperature, moisture, wind velocity, and barometric pressure.
Season
A set or sequence of related television programmes; a series
The first two seasons of the show
Weather
Adverse or destructive atmospheric conditions, such as high winds or heavy rain
Encountered weather five miles out to sea.
Season
A period when a female mammal is ready to mate
The bitch can come into season at irregular intervals
Weather
The unpleasant or destructive effects of such atmospheric conditions
Protected the house from the weather.
Season
Add salt, herbs, pepper, or other spices to (food)
Season the soup to taste with salt and pepper
Weather
Weathers Changes of fortune
Had known him in many weathers.
Season
Make (wood) suitable for use as timber by adjusting its moisture content to that of the environment in which it will be used
I collect and season most of my wood
Weather
To expose to the action of the elements, as for drying, seasoning, or coloring.
Season
One of the four natural divisions of the year, spring, summer, fall, and winter, in the North and South Temperate zones. Each season, beginning astronomically at an equinox or solstice, is characterized by specific meteorological or climatic conditions.
Weather
To discolor, disintegrate, wear, or otherwise affect adversely by exposure.
Season
The two divisions of the year, rainy and dry, in some tropical regions.
Weather
To come through (something) safely; survive
Weather a crisis.
Season
A recurrent period characterized by certain occurrences, occupations, festivities, or crops
The holiday season.
Tomato season.
Weather
To slope (a roof, for example) so as to shed water.
Season
A suitable, natural, or convenient time
A season for merriment.
Weather
To pass to windward of (a natural feature) despite adverse weather
Weathered Cape Horn in a gale.
Season
A period of time
Gone for a season.
Weather
To gain an advantageous position upwind of (another vessel), as in a race or naval battle.
Season
To improve or enhance the flavor of (food) by adding salt, spices, herbs, or other flavorings.
Weather
To show the effects, such as discoloration, of exposure to the elements
The walls of the barn had weathered.
Season
To add zest, piquancy, or interest to
Seasoned the lecture with jokes.
Weather
To withstand the effects of weather
A house paint that weathers well.
Season
To treat or dry (lumber, for example) until ready for use; cure.
Weather
(Nautical) Of or relating to the windward side of a ship; windward.
Season
To render competent through trial and experience
A lawyer who had been seasoned by years in the trial courts.
Weather
Relating to or used in weather forecasting
A weather plane.
Season
To accustom or inure; harden
Troops who had been seasoned in combat.
Weather
The short term state of the atmosphere at a specific time and place, including the temperature, relative humidity, cloud cover, precipitation, wind, etc.
What's the weather like today?
We'll go for a walk when the weather's better.
The garden party was called off due to bad weather.
Here and there, the weather on the sea allowed two of their friends to hear and see, too.
Season
To moderate; temper.
Weather
Unpleasant or destructive atmospheric conditions, and their effects.
Wooden garden furniture must be well oiled as it is continuously exposed to weather.
Season
To become usable, competent, or tempered.
Weather
(nautical) The direction from which the wind is blowing; used attributively to indicate the windward side.
Season
Each of the four divisions of a year: spring, summer, autumn (fall) and winter
Weather
A situation.
Season
A part of a year when something particular happens.
Mating season
The rainy season
The football season
Weather
(obsolete) A storm; a tempest.
Season
A period of the year in which a place is most busy or frequented for business, amusement, etc.
Weather
(obsolete) A light shower of rain.
Season
(cricket) The period over which a series of Test matches are played.
Weather
Facing towards the flow of a fluid, usually air.
Weather side, weather helm
Season
(obsolete) That which gives relish; seasoning.
Weather
To expose to the weather, or show the effects of such exposure, or to withstand such effects.
Season
A group of episodes of a television or radio program broadcast in regular intervals with a long break between each group, usually with one year between the beginning of each.
The third season of Friends aired from 1996 to 1997.
Weather
(by extension) To sustain the trying effect of; to bear up against and overcome; to endure; to resist.
Season
(archaic) An extended, undefined period of time.
Weather
To break down, of rocks and other materials, under the effects of exposure to rain, sunlight, temperature, and air.
Season
(video games) The full set of downloadable content for a game, which can be purchased with a season pass.
Weather
(nautical) To pass to windward in a vessel, especially to beat 'round.
To weather a cape
To weather another ship
Season
(video games) A fixed period of time in a massively multiplayer online game in which new content (themes, rules, modes, etc.) becomes available, sometimes replacing earlier content.
Weather
(nautical) To endure or survive an event or action without undue damage.
Joshua weathered a collision with a freighter near South Africa.
Season
(transitive) To habituate, accustom, or inure (someone or something) to a particular use, purpose, or circumstance.
To season oneself to a climate
Weather
(falconry) To place (a hawk) unhooded in the open air.
Season
To prepare by drying or hardening, or removal of natural juices.
The timber needs to be seasoned.
Weather
The state of the air or atmosphere with respect to heat or cold, wetness or dryness, calm or storm, clearness or cloudiness, or any other meteorological phenomena; meteorological condition of the atmosphere; as, warm weather; cold weather; wet weather; dry weather, etc.
Not amiss to cool a man's stomach this hot weather.
Fair weather cometh out of the north.
Season
(intransitive) To become mature; to grow fit for use; to become adapted to a climate.
Weather
Vicissitude of season; meteorological change; alternation of the state of the air.
Season
(intransitive) To become dry and hard, by the escape of the natural juices, or by being penetrated with other substance.
The wood has seasoned in the sun.
Weather
Storm; tempest.
What gusts of weather from that gathering cloudMy thoughts presage!
Season
(transitive) To mingle: to moderate, temper, or qualify by admixture.
Weather
A light rain; a shower.
Peace to the artist whose ingenious thoughtDevised the weather house, that useful toy!
Season
(obsolete) To impregnate (literally or figuratively).
Weather
To expose to the air; to air; to season by exposure to air.
[An eagle] soaring through his wide empire of the airTo weather his broad sails.
This gear lacks weathering.
Season
(transitive) To flavour food with spices, herbs or salt.
Weather
Hence, to sustain the trying effect of; to bear up against and overcome; to sustain; to endure; to resist; as, to weather the storm.
For I can weather the roughest gale.
You will weather the difficulties yet.
Season
One of the divisions of the year, marked by alterations in the length of day and night, or by distinct conditions of temperature, moisture, etc., caused mainly by the relative position of the earth with respect to the sun. In the north temperate zone, four seasons, namely, spring, summer, autumn, and winter, are generally recognized. Some parts of the world have three seasons, - the dry, the rainy, and the cold; other parts have but two, - the dry and the rainy.
The several seasons of the year in their beauty.
Weather
To sail or pass to the windward of; as, to weather a cape; to weather another ship.
Season
Hence, a period of time, especially as regards its fitness for anything contemplated or done; a suitable or convenient time; proper conjuncture; as, the season for planting; the season for rest.
The season, prime for sweetest scents and airs.
Weather
To place (a hawk) unhooded in the open air.
Season
A period of time not very long; a while; a time.
Thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season.
Weather
To undergo or endure the action of the atmosphere; to suffer meteorological influences; sometimes, to wear away, or alter, under atmospheric influences; to suffer waste by weather.
The organisms . . . seem indestructible, while the hard matrix in which they are imbedded has weathered from around them.
Season
That which gives relish; seasoning.
You lack the season of all natures, sleep.
Weather
Being toward the wind, or windward - opposed to lee; as, weather bow, weather braces, weather gauge, weather lifts, weather quarter, weather shrouds, etc.
To veer, and tack, and steer a causeAgainst the weather gauge of laws.
Season
To render suitable or appropriate; to prepare; to fit.
He is fit and seasoned for his passage.
Weather
The meteorological conditions: temperature and wind and clouds and precipitation;
They were hoping for good weather
Every day we have weather conditions and yesterday was no exception
Season
To fit for any use by time or habit; to habituate; to accustom; to inure; to ripen; to mature; as, to season one to a climate.
Weather
Face or endure with courage;
She braved the elements
Season
Hence, to prepare by drying or hardening, or removal of natural juices; as, to season timber.
Weather
Cause to slope
Season
To fit for taste; to render palatable; to give zest or relish to; to spice; as, to season food.
Weather
Sail to the windward of
Season
Hence, to fit for enjoyment; to render agreeable.
You season still with sports your serious hours.
The proper use of wit is to season conversation.
Weather
Change under the action or influence of the weather;
A weathered old hut
Season
To qualify by admixture; to moderate; to temper.
Weather
Towards the side exposed to wind
Season
To imbue; to tinge or taint.
Season their younger years with prudent and pious principles.
Weather
The day-to-day state of the atmosphere.
The weather today is sunny with a slight breeze.
Season
To copulate with; to impregnate.
Weather
Atmospheric phenomena experienced at a specific time.
The unexpected weather changes ruined our picnic plans.
Season
To become mature; to grow fit for use; to become adapted to a climate.
Season
To become dry and hard, by the escape of the natural juices, or by being penetrated with other substance; as, timber seasons in the sun.
Season
To give token; to savor.
Season
A period of the year marked by special events or activities in some field;
He celebrated his 10th season with the ballet company
She always looked forward to the avocado season
Season
One of the natural periods into which the year is divided by the equinoxes and solstices or atmospheric conditions;
The regular sequence of the seasons
Season
A recurrent time marked by major holidays;
It was the Christmas season
Season
Lend flavor to;
Season the chicken breast after roasting it
Season
Make fit;
This trip will season even the hardiest traveller
Season
Make more temperate, acceptable, or suitable by adding something else; moderate;
She tempered her criticism
Season
One of the yearly divisions based on weather variations.
The summer season is perfect for beach vacations.
Season
A recurring phase with distinct weather characteristics.
The colors of fall make it a beautiful season.
Season
A segment of the year defined by Earth's position in its orbit.
The winter season brings snow and festive holidays.
Common Curiosities
How often can weather change?
Weather can change multiple times a day.
Can weather forecasts always be trusted?
While modern forecasts are fairly accurate, weather can be unpredictable, leading to occasional discrepancies.
Why do seasons change?
Seasons change due to the Earth's tilt on its axis and its orbit around the sun.
Do all regions experience all four seasons?
No, some tropical and polar regions might not experience all four distinct seasons.
Are seasons the same worldwide?
No, the timing and intensity of seasons vary based on geographic location.
Why is weather forecasting important?
Weather forecasting helps in planning activities, agriculture, and can be critical for safety in severe conditions.
How do oceans influence weather?
Oceans regulate temperature and can influence weather patterns, including the formation of storms.
How many primary seasons are there?
There are four primary seasons: spring, summer, fall (autumn), and winter.
Is the weather the same worldwide?
No, weather varies based on geographic location, altitude, proximity to oceans, and other factors.
When it's summer in the Northern Hemisphere, what season is it in the Southern Hemisphere?
It's winter in the Southern Hemisphere.
Can a region have a rainy season?
Yes, some tropical regions have distinct rainy or monsoon seasons.
How are weather patterns recorded?
Meteorologists use tools like barometers, anemometers, and satellites to record and study weather patterns.
How does altitude affect weather?
Altitude can influence temperature, with higher altitudes often being cooler than lower ones.
How long does each season last?
Typically, each season lasts around three months.
Is the climate the same as weather or season?
No, the climate is the average weather in a region over a long period, often 30 years, while weather and season are shorter-term phenomena.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
