Why is summer warmer than winter?

Earth is tilted! In summer your part of Earth leans toward the Sun, so sunlight hits more directly and days are longer.

Which region gets the least rainfall?

Deserts receive very little rain — some get less than 25 cm (10 inches) per year!

Pro 🔒~10 min

Weather Patterns

Track temperature, wind, and precipitation to predict weather

How it works

Weather is the day-to-day condition of the atmosphere: temperature, wind, clouds, and precipitation. Climate is the average weather over many years. Scientists observe patterns — for example, summers are warmer because the Earth's tilt angles your region toward the Sun, giving longer days and more direct sunlight. Different regions have different climates: tropical areas stay warm year-round, arctic areas stay cold, deserts get very little rain, and temperate areas experience all four seasons. By tracking weather data over time, meteorologists can spot patterns and make forecasts.

Upgrade to Pro to access this experiment

Step-by-step

Choose a season and region, then press Start!
Watch the animated weather dashboard update temperature, wind, and rain data day by day.
Look for patterns — does temperature rise or fall?
When does it rain most?
After observing, try to predict tomorrow's weather based on the trend you see.

Key formulas

$T_{\text{pattern}} = T_{\text{avg}} + A \sin\!\left(\frac{2\pi}{365}\,d\right)$ Temperature follows a wave pattern through the year — warmest in summer, coldest in winter

Frequently asked questions

Why is summer warmer than winter?: Earth is tilted! In summer your part of Earth leans toward the Sun, so sunlight hits more directly and days are longer.
Which region gets the least rainfall?: Deserts receive very little rain — some get less than 25 cm (10 inches) per year!