Glossary

A helpful glossary of terms associated with weather and climate.

# A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Climate

Average weather and its variability over a period of time, ranging from months to millions of years. The World Meteorological Organization standard is a 30-year average.

Climate Change

A change in the climate's mean and variability for an extended period of decades, or more.

Climate model

A mathematical representation of the climate system based on its physical, chemical and biological components, in the form of a computer programme. The computer climate models used at the Met Office Hadley Centre are detailed three-dimensional representations of major components of the climate system. They are run on ICPAC's supercomputer.

Coupled model

Coupled climate models combine representations of various components of the earth system such as atmosphere, ocean, sea ice and land surface. In coupled models each 'coupled' area of the earth system is influenced by other areas, as well as evolving independently.