Earth's atmosphere is a mixture of nitrogen, oxygen, and trace gases that include water vapor. The atmosphere has different properties at different elevations. Global patterns of atmospheric movement influence local weather.
Oceans have a major effect on climate because water in the oceans holds a large amount of heat.
Weather is the condition of Earth's atmosphere which includes temperature, humidity, precipitation, and air pressure. Atmospheric factors that interact to cause weather are heat energy, air pressure, winds, and moisture. The uneven heating of Earth's surface produces the planet's seasons and weather patterns. Seasons result from variations in the amount of the sun's energy hitting the surface, due to the tilt of the Earth's rotation on its axis and the length of the day. Climate is important because it controls the plants and animals that live in a particular region and the basic needs of the people.