A type of humidity that considers the mass of water vapor present per unit volume of space. Also considered as the density of the water vapor. It is usually expressed in grams per cubic meter.

When the lapse rate of a column of air is greater than the dry adiatabtic lapse rate. The term absolute is used because this applies whether or not the air is dry or saturated. See instability.

A temperature scale with the freezing point of -273 degrees K (Kelvin) and the boiling point of +273 degrees K. See Kelvin Temperature Scale.

Considered to be the point at which theoretically no molecular activity exists or the temperature at which the volume of a perfect gas vanishes. It is also the zero point of the Kelvin Temperature Scale. The value is -273.16 degrees Kelvin, -273 degrees Celsius and -459.6 degreees Fahrenheit.

The process in which incident radiant energy is retained by a substance. Absorbed energy results in surface heating. Objects take heat and reradiate it at different wavelengths.

The flat, gently sloping or nearly level region of the sea floor.

The partial pressure exerted by the water vapor present in a parcel of air.

A thermodynamic change of state in a system in which there is no transfer of heat or mass across the boundaries of the system. In this process, compression will result in warming and expansion will result in cooling.

The horizontal transfer of any property in the atmosphere by the movement of air (wind). Examples include heat and moisture advection.

Fog that develops when warm moist air aloft moves over a colder surface, cooling that air to below its dew point. An example is Arctic Sea Smoke, a form of sea fog.

Statements that are issued by the National Weather Service for probable weather situations of inconvenience that do not carry the danger of warning criteria, but, if not observed, could lead to hazardous situations. Some examples include snow advisories stating possible slick streets, or fog advisories for patchy fog condition causing temporary restrictions to visibility.

Acronym for Automation of Field Operations and Services. It is the computer system that links National Weather Service offices together for weather data transmission.

This is considered the mixture of gases that make up the earth's atmosphere. The principal gases that compose dry air are Nitrogen (N2) at 78.09%, Oxygen (O2) at 20.946%, Argon (A) at 0.93%, and Carbon Dioxide (CO2) at 0.033%. One of the most important gases in meteorology is water vapor (H2O).

An extensive body of air throughout which the horizontal temperature and moisture characteristics are similar.

A thunderstorm that is produced by convection within an unstable air mass through an instability mechanism. Such thunderstorms normally occur within a tropical or warm, moist air mass during the summer afternoon as the result of afternoon heating and dissipate soon after sunset. Although such thunderstorms are not generally associated with fronts, they are less likely to become severe than other types of thunderstorms. However, that does not preclude them from having brief heavy down pours.

The soiling of the atmosphere by contaminants to the point that may cause injury to health, property, plant, or animal life, or prevent the use and enjoyment of the outdoors.

The maximum level which will be permitted for a given pollutant. Primary standards are to be sufficiently stringent to protect the public health. Secondary standards must protect the public welfare, including property and aesthetics.

The downslope air flow that blows through the Alaskan valleys. It is usually given local names, such as Knik, Matanuska, Pruga, Stikine, Taku, Take, Turnagain, or Williwaw.

The percent of reflectivity of wavelengths of an object's surface. This varies according to the texture, color, and expanse of the object's surface. Surfaces with high albedo include sand and snow, while low albedo rates include forests and freshly turned earth.

A fast moving, snow-producing weather system that originates in the lee of the Canadian Rockies. It moves quickly across the northern United States, often bring gusty winds and cold Arctic air.

A semi-permanent, subpolar area of low pressure located in the Gulf of Alaska near the Aleutian Islands. It is a generating area for storms and migratory lows often reach maximum instensity in this area. It is most active during the late fall to late spring. During the summer, it is weaker, retreating towards the North Pole and becoming almost nonexistent. During this time, the North Pacific High pressure system dominates.

An instrument used to determine the altitude of an object with respect to a fixed level. The type normally used by meteorologists measures the altitude with respect to sea level pressure.

The pressure value to which an aircraft altimeter scale is set so that it will indicate the altitude above mean sea level of an aircraft on the ground at the location for which the value was determined.

In meteorology, the measure of a height of an airborne object in respect to a constant pressure surface or above mean sea level.

Composed of flattened thick, gray, globular masses, this middle cloud genus is primarily made of water droplets. In the mid-latitudes, cloud bases are usually found between 8,000 and 18,000 feet. A defining characteristic is its layer effect, often with a wavy billowy appearance, giving it the nickname of "sheep" or "woolpack" clouds. Sometimes confused with cirrocumulus clouds, its elements (individual clouds) have a larger mass and cast a shadow on other elements. It may form several sub-types, such as altocumulus castellanus or altocumulus lenticularis Virga may also fall from these clouds.

A middle cloud with vertical development that forms from altocumulus clouds. It is composed primarily of ice crystals in its higher portions and characterized by its turrets, protuberances, or crenelated tops. Its formation indicates instability and turbulence at the altitudes of occurrence.

This middle cloud genus is composed of water droplets, and sometimes ice crystals. In the mid-latitudes, cloud bases are generally found between 15,000 and 20,000 feet. White to gray in color, it can create a fibrous veil or sheet, sometimes obscuring the sun or moon. It is a good indicator of precipitation, as it often precedes a storm system. Virga often falls from these clouds.

An organization whose membership promotes the education and professional advancement of the atmospheric, hydrologic, and oceanographic sciences.

A wind that is created by air flowing uphill. Valley breezes, produced by local daytime heating, are an example of these winds. The opposite of a katabatic wind.

An instrument that measures the speed or force of the wind.

An instrument for measuring the atmospheric pressure. It registers the change in the shape of an evacuated metal cell to measure variations on the atmospheric pressure. The aneroid is a thin-walled metal capsule or cell, usually made of phosphor bronze or beryllium copper. The scales on the glass cover measure pressure in both inches and millibars. See mercurial barometer.

This refers to the non-standard propagation of a beam of energy, radio or radar, under certain atmospheric conditions, appearing as false (non-precipitation) echoes. Often referred to as A.P.

Of or relating to the area around the geographic South Pole, from 90 degrees South to the Antarctic Circle at approximately 66 1/2 degrees South latitude, including the continent of Antarctica. Along the Antarctic Circle, the sun does not set on the day of the summer solstice (approximately December 21st) and does not rise on the day of the winter solstice (approximately June 21st).

Although not officially recognized as a separate ocean body, it is commonly applied to those portions of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans that reach the Antarctic continent on their southern extremes.

A relative pressure maximum. An area of pressure that has diverging winds and a rotation opposite to the earth's rotation. This is clockwise the Northern Hemisphere and counter-clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere. Also known as an area of high pressure, it is the opposite of an area of low pressure, or a cyclone.

The upper portion of a cumulonimbus cloud that becomes flat and spread-out, sometimes for hundreds of miles downstream from the parent cloud. It may look smooth or fibrous, but in shape, it resembles a blacksmith's anvil. It indicates the mature or decaying stage of a thunderstorm.

The point on the earth's orbit that is farthest from the sun. Although the position is part of a 21,000 year cycle, currently it occurs around July, when the earth is about 3 million miles farther from the sun than at perihelion. This term can be applied to any other celestial body in orbit around the sun. It is the opposite of perihelion.

The point farthest from the earth on the moon's orbit. This term can be applied to any other body orbiting the earth, such as satellites. It is the opposite of perigee.

Of or relating to the area around the geographic North Pole, from 90 degrees North to the Arctic Circle at approximately 66 1/2 degrees North latitude.

An air mass that develops around the Arctic and is characterized by being cold aloft and extending to great heights. The boundary of this air mass is often defined by the Arctic front, a semi-permanent, semi-continous feature.

The jet stream that is situated high in the stratosphere in and around the Arctic or Antarctic Circles. It marks the boundary of polar and arctic air masses.

A type of advection fog that forms primarily over water when cold air passes across warmer waters. See steam fog.

A colorless, ordorless inert gas that is the third most abundant consituent of dry air. It comprises 0.93%.

A term used for an extemely dry climate. The degree to which a climate lacks effective, life-promoting moisture. It is considered the opposite of humid when speaking of climates.

Acronym for Automated Surface Observing System. This system is a collection of automated weather instruments that collect data. It performs surface based observations from places that do not have a human observer, or that do not have an observer 24 hours a day.

The time after nautical twilight has commenced and when the sky is dark enough, away from the sun's location, to allow astronomical work to proceed. It ends when the center of the sun is 18 degrees below the horizon. See twilight.

The gaseous or air portion of the physical environment that encircles a planet. In the case of the earth, it is held more or less near the surface by the earth's The divisions of the atmosphere include the troposphere, the stratosphere, the mesosphere, the ionosphere, and the exosphere.

The pressure exerted by the atmosphere at a given point. Its measurement can be expressed in several ways. One is in millibars. Another is in inches or millimeters of mercury (Hg). Also known as barometric pressure.

It is created by the sporadic radiant energy emission from the sun and its interaction with the earth's upper atmosphere over the middle and high latitudes. It is seen as a bright display of constantly changing light near the magnetic poles of each hemisphere. In the Northern Hemisphere, it is known as the aurora borealis or Northern Lights, and in the Southern Hemisphere, this phenomena is called the aurora australis.

The season of the year which occurs as the sun approaches the winter solstice, and characterized by decreasing temperatures in the mid-latitudes. Customarily, this refers to the months of September, October, and November in the North Hemisphere and the months of March, April, and May in the Southern Hemisphere. Astronomically, this is the period between the autumnal equinox and the winter solstice.

Acronym for Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer. It is the main sensor on the U.S. polar orbiting satellites.

Acronym for Advanced Weather Interactive Processing System. It is the computerized system that processes NEXRAD and ASOS data received at National Weather Service Forecast Offices.

A semi-permanent, subtropical area of high pressure in the North Atlantic Ocean that migrates east and west with varying central pressure. Depending on the season, it has different names. In the Northern Hemispheric winter and early spring, when the Icelandic Low dominates the North Atlantic, it is primarily centered near the Azores Islands. When it is displaced westward, during the summer and fall, the center is located in the western North Atlantic, near Bermuda and is known as the Bermuda High. A comparable system is the North Pacific High.