Weather vs. Temperature: Understanding the Difference

That moment when your weather app says 70 degrees but stepping outside feels more like 60—does that sound familiar? Most of us check on both weather and temperature every day without much thought as to the difference between the two. But they tell very different stories about what's happening around us.

Weather applications assail us with numbers, radar maps, and predictions. But the foundation, and even knowing something as basic as how weather differs from just a simple temperature reading, can help make sense of it all.

Beyond the Numbers

Temperature definition is simple: just a measure of the heat in the air-pure and simple(1). Meteorologists can give you the degree to the exact number, in your choice of Fahrenheit or Celsius. Just digits-no drama involved.