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About this quote

What does it mean?
Heinlein distinguishes between long-term expectations and short-term realities in meteorology.
In plain terms
Climate is the average you expect; weather is what actually happens.
What can you take from it?
Don't confuse long-term trends with daily conditions.

Where it applies

  • explaining climate change
  • planning events
  • discussing forecasts

Putting it to work

  • teach meteorology basics
  • plan for variability
  • explain data trends

Questions to consider

  • How do you communicate climate to skeptics?
  • When does weather become climate?

Another view

The line between climate and weather can blur in short-term analysis.

More from Robert A. Heinlein

  1. Cheops' Law: Nothing ever gets built on schedule or within budget.

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  2. Courage is the complement of fear. A man who is fearless cannot be courageous. (He is also a fool.)

    Permalink to quote #71
  3. Certainly the game is rigged. Don't let that stop you; if you don't bet, you can't win.

    Permalink to quote #68

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