climate prediction
The prediction of various aspects of the climate of a region during some future period of time.
Climate predictions are generally in the form of probabilities of anomalies of climate variables (e.g., temperature, precipitation), with lead times up to several seasons (
see climate anomaly). The term "climate projection" rather than "climate prediction" is now commonly used for longer- range predictions that have a higher degree of uncertainty and a lesser degree of specificity. For example, this term is often used for "predictions" of climate change that depend on uncertain consequences of anthropogenic influences such as land use and the burning of fossil fuels.
see climate anomaly). The term "climate projection" rather than "climate prediction" is now commonly used for longer- range predictions that have a higher degree of uncertainty and a lesser degree of specificity. For example, this term is often used for "predictions" of climate change that depend on uncertain consequences of anthropogenic influences such as land use and the burning of fossil fuels.
