Replies to post #224891 on Tornado Alley (PROG)

[F6]

arizona1 -- he still hasn't figured out where the sun goes at night

[rooster]

All Obama voters I bet.

[oldberkeley]

Do you understand the difference between weather and climate?

Bingo.

When talking to most non-scientists, that question and the correct answer has been the focus of my conversation for many years.

One is usually met with a blank stare (the lack of basic science knowledge in the U.S. is a scandal in itself, but that’s another subject.) I’ve developed a friendly, very non-threatening, non-confrontational explanation couched in everyday language that I can usually impart in about a minute. I’m sure that most of us have the same little spiel.

It almost seems too simple, but I think that confusion about the correct definition of these terms is actually at the heart of the problem for millions of Americans.