The term seasonal change refers to variations in weather patterns, temperature and other natural phenomena that occur annually or over a period of several years. These changes are primarily driven by the Earth's tilt on its axis and its orbit around the sun. Seasonal changes can affect everything from temperatures, precipitation levels, plant growth, animal behavior to human activities such as agriculture, tourism, and recreation. The term is often used interchangeably with "weather" or "climate," but refers specifically to short-term variations in weather patterns that are predictable based on the time of year.