How Glaciers Give Us A Picture Of Past Climates

How glaciers give us a picture of past climates

- Emily Floess

Have you ever wanted to predict the future? Climate scientists start by looking at the past. They uncover historical information and compare it to current data to help predict what the climate will be like in the future. Glaciers offer a valuable record of past climates.

Climate vs. Weather

What’s the difference between climate and weather? Weather and climate both have to do with the temperature outside—but in different ways! Climate refers to the long-term pattern of weather in a specific location. This includes the average amounts of rain and snow, the temperature, wind levels, and the number of storms over a period of 30 years or more. The climate of your hometown is the typical weather you see year after year. Is there always lots of snow every winter? Are summers always hot and dry?

Weather refers to the day-to-day conditions outside. Is it warm or cold? Sunny or rainy? Weather is what you see out your window each day.

Some naturally occurring weather trends occur over longer periods, like a year. Have you ever heard of El Niño? El Niño is a weather event that lasts 9 to 12 months but doesn’t happen every year. During an El Niño period, the temperature of the eastern Pacific Ocean rises, causing some places in the United States and Canada to have unusually warm weather. Scientists track these patterns, enabling them to predict what kind of weather (warmer than usual, or cooler than usual) to expect in the months ahead. The last strong El Niño occurred in 2015–2016. La Niña is the opposite of El Niño. La Niña is when the eastern Pacific Ocean is cooler than usual.

Modern Climate Trends