Difference between el tiempo and el clima?

Question

Hi, in English the words 'weather' and 'climate' are rarely interchangeable, but I've seen 'el clima' used (in my learn basic Spanish book) in the sense of local weather rather than regional trends. Can you use both el tiempo and el clima for the weather today in Spanish?

Thanks, Julie

Thanks for replies. Sounds very similar to English. Beginner book a bit misleading, I think. - Julie_in_Portsmouth, Jul 27, 2011

Answer 1

Even though tiempo and clima are interchangeable in some contexts, tiempo usually does refer to a more localized climate 'event' or condition while clima usually would refer to weather in general.

• It was bad weather hizo mal tiempo when we went home to visit. - Usually warm and dry but it rained the entire time we were there.

• I live in a warm climate clima cálido - the atmosphere, the climate is warm (year round for example).

Thanks for replies. Sounds very similar to English usage - beginner book a bit misleading, I think. - Julie_in_Portsmouth, Jul 27, 2011

Answer 2

As the saying goes, climate is what you expect, weather is what you get.

Clima = climate, referring to long term averages
Tiempo = weather, either the generic weather or the actual weather that happens day to day.

Weather and climate may be synonyms, and they may not, depending on the particular context.

The weather/climate in Arizona is hot in the summer.
The weather in Phoenix was unusually cool yesterday.

Answer 3

clima

1. m. Conjunto de condiciones atmosféricas que caracterizan una región.

2. m. Temperatura particular y demás condiciones atmosféricas y telúricas de cada país.

tiempo

12. m. Estado atmosférico. Hace buen tiempo.

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Answer 4

Tiempo is what is used for weather like when your asking ¿Qué tiempo hace? What is the weather doing? (Or just what's the weather) clima is used for climate.