Meteorology
The science that deals with the phenomena of the atmosphere, especially weather and weather conditions
Meteorologist
A scientist that predicts and studies weather
Weather
The day to day atmospheric conditions in a certain area
Climate
The average weather conditions in a certain area over a long time
Wind
The movement of air
Anemometer
Measures the wind speed, and usually combined with a rain gauge
Wind vane
A device that measures the direction of wind
Relative humidity
How much water vapor is in the air, compared to the total that could be in the air at a given temp.
Precipitation
Rain, snow, hail, sleet
Rain gauge
A device that measures liquid precipitation
Tempature
The measurement of how hot or cold something is.
Thermometer
The instrument that measures tempature
Air mass
A large body of air that has the similar temperature and humidity throughout
Jet stream
The fast moving narrow zones of air in the trophosphere which blow west to east due to earths rotation
Gulf stream
The warm, well defined, swift, relatively narrow ocean current which exits off the east coast of the us
Barometer
Measures air pressure.
Air pressure
Known as atmospheric pressure, the weight of air above a given point
Convection Cell
The way heat is transferred from one place to another, it takes place when heated molecules move from one place to another, taking the heat with them . It is common both in the atmosphere and Ocean
Low pressure
Brings cloudy and rainy weather, rapid changes in low pressure areas cause storms because air is rising
High Pressure
Generally brings clear skies and calm air or gentle breezes since air is sinking toward the earth
Front
Where to air masses meet
Warm front
The boundary between cool and warm air, moving so that the warmer air replaces the colder air
Cold front
A boundary between cold and warm air masses, moving so fast that the cold air mass takes over the warm air mass
Stationary front
A boundary between 2 different air masses, neither of which strong enough to replace the other
Nimbus
Rain producing cloud
Cirrus
Feather like, wispy clouds that usually mean fair weather or a change in weather
Stratus
Low-lying, gray sheet like clouds that often produce drizzle, stratus clouds are a principle cloud type
Cumulus
Fluffy, mid-level clouds that develop in towering shapes and signal fair weather. A principle cloud type
Cumulonimbus
A dense and vertically developed cloud that produces storms. The cloud can bring heavy showers, hail, lightning, high winds and sometimes tornadoes
Nimbostratus
Form a dark gray, wet-looking layer associated with continuously falling rain or snow. They often produce precipitation that is usually light to moderate
Latitude
The distance north or south of the equator
Longitude
Distance east or west of the prime meridian
Hemisphere
A half of the earth, usually divided into northern and southern halves by the equator , or i to western and eastern halves by a imaginary line passing through the poles
El Ni�o
Is a climate pattern where the water in the Pacific Ocean near the equator gets hotter than usual and affects the atmosphere and weather around the world. El Ni�o climate conditions occur every few years
El Ni�a
The water in the Pacific Ocean near the equator gets colder than usual and affects the atmosphere and weather around the world. It brings above normal temperatures throughout most of the southwest and southern florida in the late fall and summer.
Occluded Front
Occurs when 2 air masses move toward each other and warmer air is pushed upward, stronger