What best describes climate compared to weather?

The best description of climate compared to weather is captured by the idea that annual low temperatures have decreased over many decades. Climate refers to the long-term patterns and averages of temperature, humidity, wind, and precipitation in a given area over extended periods, typically 30 years or more. This choice highlights a long-term trend, which is essential to understanding climate change as it encompasses gradual shifts in temperature averages over the decades.

In contrast, the other options relate to short-term phenomena. Temperature variation throughout the day is a characteristic of daily weather fluctuations rather than long-term climate trends. Immediate local weather conditions refer to the specific atmospheric conditions present at a particular time and place, which can change rapidly and do not reflect broader climate patterns. Seasonal changes in precipitation can indicate some aspects of climate, but by themselves, they do not encompass the long-term trends needed to define climate in the context of changes over decades. Thus, the focus on long-term temperature trends makes the selected answer the most accurate representation of climate compared to weather.