Snow squalls- brief, intense snow showers, accompanied by strong, gusty winds. LEE TROUGH- Low pressure which develops just east of the Rocky Mountains or Cascades. CLOUD CONDENSATION NUCLEI- small particles in the air on which water vapor condenses and forms cloud droplets. DPNG- Deepening. Modern weather forecasting is a $7 billion a year industryand for good reason. There are 5 basic cloud vocabulary words: Cumulus (cumulo-form) Stratus (strato-form) Nimbus (nimbo-form) Cirrus (cirro-form) Alto. OCCLUDED FRONT- A complex frontal system that occurs when a cold front overtakes a warm front. Murus and cauda are a wall cloud and tail cloud, respectively. The lowest level of the atmosphere where friction is an important force and vertical mixing is common. The study of meteorology dates back millennia, though significant progress in meteorology did not begin until the 18th century. Bureau Home > Weather Services > Cloud Types and Precipitation . OLR Outgoing Longwave Radiation Omega A term used to describe vertical motion in the atmosphere. Low level moisture axes enhance atmospheric instability, which in turn promotes thunderstorm development. SNOW- Unless qualified by such words as " occasional" or " intermittent" , a prediction of snow indicates a steady fall of a few hours or more. Frost- the formation of ice crystals in the forms of scales, needles, feathers, or fans, which develop under conditions similar to dew, except that the minimum temperature has dropped to at least 32 F degrees. The heating and drying are due to adiabatic compression as the wind descend downslope. LOW-The center of an area of low pressure, accompanied by cyclonic and inward wind flow in the northern hemisphere. The model is run each hour, with its initial conditions updated by the inclusion of the latest surface observations available. ISOPLETH- A line of a constant meteorological value. Urban Flood- pavement which causes rapid runoff (rain can't soak into the ground so it runs downhill) and poor drainage can lead to flooded roadways and underpasses and even become deadly. Wind chill(Wind chill index) - an apparent temperatures which takes into account the combined effect of lowering temperatures and the rate of heat loss from a human body, caused by the wind. altostratus Suggest. BLIZZARD- A storm lasting about 3 hours or longer with sustained winds 35 mph or greater with frequent gusts to 35 mph or greater; and considerable falling and/or blowing snow frequently reducing visibilities to less than 1/4 mile. It is always accompanied by lightning and thunder, and occasionally by strong gusty winds, hail, and or heavy rain. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration . Share your weather data with the world and follow other devices of your interest. What Are Clouds? | NASA PACIFIC HIGH- A semipermanent anticyclone located in the Eastern North Pacific. DIVQ- Diverging Q vectors. PINEAPPLE CONNECTION -A warm and moist flow of air with origins from the tropics which precedes major winter storms. I should point out that some other factors contributed to the small diurnal temperature range on July 6, 2017 at Penn State, but clouds were a major one. PUNCH (or PUSH)- A fast moving mass of air (e.g. Dynamic lifting causes the mid-levels to cool at a greater rate than the lower troposphere. Clouds form in the free atmosphere as a result of condensation of water vapor in rising currents of air, or by the evaporation of the lowest stratum of fog. ROSSBY WAVES- long waves that form in air or water that flows almost parallel to the equator, which results form the effect of the earth's rotation. classic severe weather event, classic Nor'easter). TYPHOON- A hurricane that forms in the Western Pacific Ocean. EL NINO-A major warming of the equatorial waters in the Pacific Ocean. Intermittent: Precipitation that does not exceed one hour per spell. NWS KELVIN- A ratio temperature scale using 0 as the theoretical coldest temperature. Keep in mind that middle clouds can form a couple of thousand feet above or below the 10,000- foot marker. On analysis and forecast charts it is the isotherms crossing the height contours. This is an indication low pressure is weakening (filling) or a pressure system is stalling. Glossary | International Cloud Atlas Spokane, WA2601 N Rambo Rd.Spokane, WA 99224509-244-0110Comments? A special tone allows certain receivers to alarm when watches or warnings are issued. As the cloud and cloud droplets grow in size, the base will begin to gray. As a mass of air ascends, the lower pressures prevailing at higher levels allow it to expand. RADAR- An instrument used to detect precipitation by measuring the strength of the electromagnetic signal reflected back. Heavy snow- Snow accumulating to at least 6 inches in 12 hours. Veering winds with height are indicative of warm air advection (WAA). BLOWING SNOW- Wind-driven snow which reduces surface visibility. When Kirsty McCabe first presented the weather she was told not to use the word precipitation on air. Advancing Aerosol-Cloud-Meteorology Knowledge through ACTIVATE (See relative humidity). Please try another search. Disappears from sight or ends. It usually occurs near the leading edge of the storm or may occur in heavy rain. Frost develops under conditions similar to dew, except the temperatures are colder. High Clouds: Cirrus. FUNNEL CLOUD- A rotating column of air forming a pendant from a cumulus/cumulonimbus cloud with circulationnotreaching the ground. PARTLY CLOUDY (PARTLY SUNNY)- Sky condition when between 3/10 and 7/10 of the sky is covered. BROKEN CLOUDS- Clouds which cover between 6/10 and 9/10 of the sky. CONSIDERABLE CLOUDINESS- Between 7/10 and 8/10 cloud cover. GALE- Wind speeds from 39 to 54 mph (34 to 47 knots). AVALANCHE- a large mass of rapidly moving snow down a steep mountain slope. Spacing and alignment of Cloud Streets The distance between adjacent Streets has been observed as approximately three times the height of the inversion or stable layer. Wall clouds indicate the updraft of or the inflow to a thunderstorm. Find high-quality stock photos that you won't find anywhere else. The net impact of this, as you should recall, is that all else being equal, a cloudy day is cooler than a sunny day, because clouds back-scatter much more solar radiation to space than the amount of infrared radiation that they emit toward the ground. Luke Howard was born in London on 28 November 1772, the first child of successful businessman Robert Howard and his wife, Elizabeth. Knowing the type of cloud (s) provided vital information about the state of the atmospheric at each location. DEBRIS CLOUD 2. BLOCKING PATTERN- A situation in which the upper tropospheric flow becomes highly meridional and stagnant. Weather, Forecasting, Weather Forecast. It can also include moving data from one cloud environment to another. PROFILER- A remote ground-based sensing instrument that measures wind speed and direction at different levels of the atmosphere. Being above bankfull does not necessarily mean that it causes damage (it depends on the particular river and what development exists along it). However, often the sky can have different genera of clouds adjacent to, or stacked above, each other. Moisture being entrained into a storm system can enhance precipitation amounts. CYCLONE -An area of low pressure around which winds blow counterclockwise in the Northern Hemisphere. It usually develops before strong or violent tornado es. The new National Weather Service WSR-88D radar has this capability, and its vertical wind profile is called a VAD Wind Profile (or VWP). OPEN WAVE- A wave of low pressure that does not have a complete circulation around it; also called a short wave trough. POP- Probability of Precipitation. LIGHTNINGAn electrical discharge from a thunderstorm. It is characterized by a gusty winds and the potential of convection across the Inland Northwest. In most cases, cumulonimbus clouds are accompanied by showers of rain, snow, or hail. Also the term used for a hurricane in the Indian Ocean and in the Western Pacific Ocean. ISODROSOTHERM- A line of constant dewpoint temperature. Researchers Identify 12 Hazardous Chemicals Pumping Through California's Natural Gas Lines. CONVECTION (CNVTN)- the transfer of heat within a gas or liquid by their movement. Prior to every flight, pilots should gather all . Another way clouds are named is by their shape. That will help you determine what altitude you need to fly at in order to maintain cloud separation requirements . In addition to the temperature controllers we've already covered, some other important factors act as temperature controllers, too. FIRE UP- A favorite phrase of forecasters. Why do lower dew points favor significant cooling at night? Towering cumulus cloud- a cumulus cloud that continues to grow so that its height is taller than or equal to its width. ATS 652: Atmospheric Remote Sensing. IRIDESCENCE- brilliant patches of green or pink sometimes seen near the edges of high- or medium-level clouds. MOISTURE AXIS / RIDGE- : An area of higher moisture values, usually in the form of a ridge of higher dewpoints at the surface or 850 mb. Could also be in reference to a forecasting problem that caused a "busted" forecast. (Expressed as a percentage). You can get the definition(s) of a word in the list below by tapping the question-mark icon next to it. Simon Brown, Services Director at the Met Office, explains how meteorologists forecast and communicated the extreme events. GROWING SEASON- the period of time between the last killing frost of spring and the first killing frost of autumn. SLIGHT CHANCE- In probability of precipitation statements, usually equivalent to a 20 percent chance. The gases most responsible for this effect are water vapor and carbon dioxide. Below is a massive list of meteorology words - that is, words related to meteorology. These droplets, usually present in concentrations of a few hundred per cubic centimetre, constitute a nonprecipitating water cloud. A high pressure is termed "dirty" if it has a canopy of clouds associated with it. New NWS computer system integrating graphics, satellite and radar imagery. (The 32 F sometimes is only at the plant level, while shelter temperatures (higher up) reporting 35 F, for example.). Large masses have higher values of gravitational accelerations than lighter masses. SQUALL LINE- A line of thunderstorms or squalls extending over several hundred miles. 3.Middle clouds are found between low and high clouds. BLACKBODY- A mass which absorbs and emits all wavelengths of radiation. Higher values of precipitable water indicate a deep moisture layer, increasing the potential for heavy precipitation amounts. The "omega equation" used in numerical weather models is composed of two terms, the "differential vorticity advection" term and the "thickness advection" term. Could also be in reference to the depth of the "transition zone" between two air masses that are horizontally differentially advecting one over the other. INVERTED TROF- This is a trough which bulges to the north. Sometimes they are also full of frozen ice crystals. DIFFLUENCE- A 2-D process in which airstreams spread apart. A branch of the US Department of Commerce, NOAA is the parent organization of the National Weather Service. Also known as an anticyclone. RAIN- Precipitation of liquid water particles which, in contrast to drizzle, are widely separated and larger in size. RETROGRADE- To move backwards. SUPERCELL-A highly organized thunderstorm with a rotating updraft, known as a mesocyclone. 2217 Earth and Engineering Sciences Building, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802 Note: Negative Q-vector divergence is the same mathematically as Q-vector convergence, so the statement "negative divq" means Q-vector convergence. MCS- Mesoscale Convective System. cloud, Any visible mass of water droplets, ice crystals, or a mixture of the two that is suspended in the air, usually at a considerable height. Also known as a cyclone. WATER VAPOR- water substance in a gaseous state that comprises one of the most important of all the constituents of the atmosphere. Learn more about hybrid cloud computing. GRADIENT- the time rate or spatial rate of change of an atmospheric property. EVAPORATION- the process of a liquid changing into a vapor or gas. . As the wind increases, heat is carried away from a person's body at a more accelerated rate, driving down the body temperature. LATENT HEAT- the heat energy that must be absorbed when a substance changes from solid to liquid and liquid to gas, and which is released when a gas condenses and a liquid solidifies. . PRESSURE -The force exerted by the interaction of the atmosphere and gravity. He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society on 8 March 1821 and joined the British (now Royal) Meteorological Society on 7 May 1850, only a month after the society was founded. Hypothermia - a medical emergency: when the body temperature drops below 95 F. Ice storm- significant and possibly damaging accumulations of ice are expected during freezing rain situations. Water or various other chemicals may compose the droplets and crystals. EXTRAPOLATE- Determining the value of a meteorological value beyond the bounds of a data sample. It forms above the gust front as warm air ahead of the storm rides over the cool outflow from the thunderstorm. DEW- Moisture that has condensed on objects near the ground, whose temperatures have fallen below the dewpoint temperature. NCEP- National Centers for Environmental Prediction. The "omega equation" used in numerical weather models is composed of two terms, the "differential vorticity advection" term and the "thickness advection" term. Section 1. Meteorology - Federal Aviation Administration Weathercloud makes managing your device not only easy, but also fun. Sorry, the location you searched for was not found. El Nino events usually occur every 3 to 7 years, and are characterized by shifts in "normal" weather patterns. MeSH terms Cloud Computing* Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Even in the tropics, much of the precipitation begins as snow in the clouds high above the surface, then generally melts as it falls into warmer temperatures near the surface . Middle clouds, 7 to 2 km (23,000 to 6,500 feet), are altocumulus and altostratus. Clouds alter temperatures by both absorbing and scattering incoming solar radiation and by emitting infrared radiation. Occurs when rain falls into a layer of air with temperatures below freezing. Observes sky conditions, temperature and dewpoint, wind direction and speed, and barometric pressure. CLOUDS METEOROLOGY- How Do Clouds Form? - maritmeculture Condensation alone can only generate droplets of sufficient size to produce drizzle. Low clouds, 2 to 0 km (6,500 to 0 feet), are stratocumulus, stratus, and nimbostratus. Sky conditions are estimated in terms of how many eighths of the sky are covered in cloud, ranging from 0 oktas (completely clear sky) through to 8 oktas (completely overcast). Atmospheric Physics Of Cloud Formation And Dissipation Mammatus(or mamma clouds) - these clouds appear to be hanging, rounded protuberances or pouches on the underside of the cloud. SOUTHERN OSCILLATION- A periodic reversal of the pressure pattern across the tropical Pacific Ocean during El Nino events. EQUIVALENT POTENTIAL TEMPERATURE- The temperature of a parcel of air after all moisture and latent heat is condensed out of an air parcel then descended to the 1000 mb level. | CanStock Enter your search terms: A classification of cloud forms was first made (1801) by French naturalist Jean Lamarck. NOAA's National Weather Service - Glossary TORNADO- A violent rotating column of air, usually forming a pendant from a cumulonimbus cloud with the circulation reaching the ground. Inverted troughs can occur across areas of the tropics and sub-tropics. National Weather Service Why It Matters For Pilots. SHORTWAVE- a progressive wave in a horizontal air flow that leads to lower air pressure and possibly unsettled weather. In 1930's, the National Weather Service standardized codes for cloud forms and state of the sky according to the international system of classification. Generally the duration is less than 20 seconds and the fluctuation greater than 10 mph. Meteorologists classify clouds primarily by their appearance. Cloud Types and Precipitation - Bureau of Meteorology On a local scale, it is the most destructive of all atmospheric phenomena. Backing winds with height are indicative of cold air advection (CAA). Precipitation shaft- a visible column of rain or hail falling from the base of the cloud. Other classification systems have proposed many additional types. The motions of the warm air riding up and over the cool air moving down and under creates a swirling of air or an eddy. On the flip side, why do higher dew points favor warmer nights? There are many different types of clouds. Network of automatic raingauges that transmit via VHF radio link when precipitation occurs. MIXING DEPTH- The vertical distance the process of convection mixes the air from the surface to aloft. The updraft is the hollow portion of the hook (looks like a backwards "J" or a 6) and is where the tornado would most likely be found (if the storm were to produce one). JET STREAK- A relative maximum of windflow within the jet stream. NUMERICAL WEATHER PREDICTION (NWP)- Forecasting weather by the use of numerical models, run on high speed computers. Examples include Tornado Watch, Severe Thunderstorm Watch, Flash Flood Watch, Winter Storm Watch. HEAVY SNOW- In the Inland Northwest, mountains above 3000 feet - 8 to 12 inches in 12 hours or 12-18 inches or more in 24 hours. Permalink to About Precipitation - Real-time. Careers in Meteorology | St. Cloud State University It may also include larger particles of liquid water or ice as well as non-aqueous or solid particles such as those present in fumes, smoke or dust. Test. In May of 2021, the Aerosol Cloud meTeorology Interactions oVer the western ATlantic Experiment (ACTIVATE) returned to operations for a summer 2021 deployment. FROST- The formation of thin ice crystals on the ground or other surfaces in the form of scales, needles, feathers, or fans. VISIBILITY- The horizontal distance an observer can see and identify a prominent object. The John A. Dutton e-Education Institute is the learning design unit of the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences at The Pennsylvania State University. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration THERMODYNAMICS- In reference to the (in)stability of the atmosphere. Hail- Precipitation in the form of balls or clumps of ice. On Earth, clouds are formed as a result of saturation of the air when it is cooled to its dew point, or when it gains . Glossary - NOAA's National Weather Service KATABATIC WIND- Local winds a result of cold, dense air flowing downhill. Unless otherwise defined, the liquid is generally assumed to be water. cloud, any visible mass of water droplets, ice crystals, or a mixture of both that is suspended in the air, usually at a considerable height (see video). VIRGA- Precipitation falling from the base of a cloud and evaporating before it reaches the ground. It nearly always starts as a funnel cloud and may be accompanied by a loud roaring noise. Along with our 10 primary cloud types we can add a number of descriptive words to describe the variations. TROUGH-An elongated area of low pressure at the surface or aloft. They may induce dangerous wind and downflow wind shears which can affect aircraft performance. This glossary of meteorology is a list of terms and concepts relevant to meteorology and atmospheric . CUMULONIMBUS- A vertically developed cumulus cloud, often capped by an anvil shaped cloud. The top 4 are: climatology, atmospheric, weather and climate. This phenomena often occurs along the California coast during the summer. Important thermodynamic information includes lapse rates, CAPE, changes in temperature / moisture with height, and cap strength. or winds 58 mph or more and/or hail three-quarter of an inch or greater in diameter. Cloud Meteorology Pictures, Images and Stock Photos CORONA- a disk of light surrounding the sun or moon; this is a result of the diffraction of light by small water droplets. Furthermore, dry continental-Tropical (cT) air masses with low dew points allow for major cooling at night. Similar action may be required for the failure of certain levees. In hydrologic terms, (1) The height of the free surface of a body of water above a given point beneath the surface. Commonly used with temperatures, i.e., "warm air advection", or moisture, i.e., "moisture advection". High Clouds: Cirrocumulus. a mackerel sky, small puffs, high sky. Steady rain that lasts for an entire day or longer is usually produced by the nimbostratus variety. If a ridge occurs across the central US in summer, the ring of fire will extend across the west coast, up into Canada and across the east coast. In meteorology, an okta is a unit of measurement used to describe the amount of cloud cover at any given location such as a weather station. WATERSPOUT- A violently rotating column of air usually forming a pendant from a cumulus/cumulonimbus cloud, occurring over a body of water, and having circulation reaching the water. The process by which water vapor changes into water droplets and clouds. STRATOSPHERE- The layer of the atmosphere above the troposphere, where temperature increases with height. Cloud Abbreviation in Meteorology. (RADAR= Radio Detection and Ranging). COLD CORE LOW- A low pressure which has the coldest temperatures located near its center. Clouds were so persistent and thick throughout the daythat the ground was absorbing less solar radiation than downwelling infrared radiation from clouds and air molecules (check out the surface radiation plot below). Meteorology - download this royalty free Stock Illustration in seconds. Designation of NWS operational offices after modernization. CLIMATE- The historical record of average daily and seasonal weather events. It uses the Doppler effect to measure the velocity of particles suspended in the atmosphere. Cloud Microphysics, Severe Storms and Mesoscale Meteorology MOSTLY CLOUDY- Between 7/10 and 9/10 cloud cover. Precipitation (falling rain and snow) that occurs around the globe is the source of fresh water on which all life depends. It is most often accompanied by rain. Typically in the mid-latitude, troughs and ridges move west to east. VAD stands for Velocity Azimuth Display. A halo around the sun . These small, transparent ice pellets usually bounce when they hit a hard surface. VERY WINDY- Sustained winds of 30 to 40 mph. CONVECTIVE INSTABILITY- Instability caused by very dry air advecting in the mid-levels of the troposphere over a warm and moist lower troposphere. HAIL- Precipitation of small balls or other pieces of ice (hailstones) falling separately or frozen together in irregular lumps. SEA BREEZE- A wind that blows from a sea or ocean towards a land mass. Instability caused by dry air advecting over warm and humid PBL air. Learn about the four main types of clouds formed at different altitudes. One of these models is run at the Department of Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Washington which covers the weather over Washington, Oregon and most of Idaho. HORSE LATITUDES- subtropical regions where anticyclones produce settled weather. ATS 655: Objective Analysis A cold core low is deep and is often associated with the polar jet stream. These groupings are determined by the altitude level or levels in the troposphere at which each of the various cloud types is normally found. A cumulonimbus is a common sign of a thunderstorm and on rare occasions is associated with tornadoes. Inverted trough look like ridges but there is lower pressure at their centers of curvature. They form below the lowest layer of clouds in the atmosphere, or "under the deck" as the acronym describes. The Meaning of Cloud Streets - The Natural Navigator PERMAFROST- a soil layer below the surface of tundra regions that remains frozen permanently. Pilots flying visually ( VFR, see Learning Goal 1g) must stay outside of clouds. METEOROLOGY- The study of the atmosphere and atmospheric phenomena. Brief: Short duration (Not exceeding 10 minutes). The list short form for Cloud abbreviation in Meteorology. For example, 15 - 20 minute precipitation spells every 40 - 60 minutes. wave cloud | meteorology | Britannica He died in London on 21 March 1864. CLEAR- Sky condition of less than 1/10 cloud coverage. ZONAL WIND- the wind or wind componant along the local parallel of latitude. AMPLIFICATION: (AMPLFCTN)- Building, or sharpening, of an upper level high pressure ridge or low pressure trough. CAT- A category. Note that the Sahara is hot during the day (top map) and cool at night (middle map), making this desert and others the areas of the world with the greatest diurnal change (lower map). Fall, Year 2. VORTICITY-A measure of the amount of "spin" (rotation) and "shear" in the atmosphere. From storms to extreme heat, 2022 has been a record-breaking period for the UK's weather. Federal Aviation Administration; KAAL-TV; KARE 11; KEYC-TV; . GLAZE- a layer or coating of ice that is generally smooth and clear, and forms on exposed objects by the freezing of liquid raindrops. These processes result in a dynamic lifting of air. RAINBOW- Optical phenomenon when light is refracted and reflected by moisture in the air into concentric arcs of color. Browse 262,439 cloud meteorology stock photos and images available, or start a new search to explore more stock photos and images. TROPICAL DEPRESSION- Tropical mass of thunderstorms with a cyclonic wind circulation and winds between 20 and 34 knots. Read on! Strong Planetary Boundary Layer winds which advect warmer temperatures and moisture into the forecast area. Glossary of meteorology - Wikipedia Snow showers- snow falling at varying intensities for brief time periods. A wind chill factor of 30 degrees or lower on exposed skin will result in frostbite in a short period of time. ICE STORM- liquid rain falling and freezing on contact with cold objects creating ice build-ups of 1/4th inch or more that can cause severe damage. FREEZING RAIN (DRIZZLE)- Rain (drizzle) which freezes on contact to produce a coating of ice on the ground and other exposed surfaces. Low clouds (stratus, stratocumulus, nimbostratus) can form anywhere from the ground . The ABI can show more detailed changes in cloud-top features, helping scientists assess the . The words at the top of the list are the ones most associated with cloud, and as you go down the relatedness . SWELLS- Ocean waves of regular and longer duration than wind waves. The condensation lets us see the water vapor. Write. National Weather Service 11 terms. Learn. ENTRAINED / ENTRAINMENT- Refers to the drawing in of moisture (or lack of moisture) into a system.