Debbie Baxter, age 14, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, for her question:

Is weather different from climate?

Today's weather in Wisconsin may be scorching hot. The year round climate of Wisconsin rates as temperate. Almost everywhere the weather changes from day to day and often from hour to hour. But in any special place it tends to stay within a certain range throughout the year. This yearly range of weather activities is the climate of this or that region. Anybody can step outdoors and estimate a fairly accurate picture of the weather. But an estimate of the climate is computed from detailed meteorological reports through many years.

A detailed climate report of a region includes the average day and night temperatures for each month. It also gives the average. monthly precipitation of rain and snow. This information is needed by farmers and those who plan flood control. Home gardeners consult climate reports to learn when the last frost can be expected in their region. They wait for that date to come and go before planting those tender young vegetables.(