Weather Terms A-Z

A

spinning in the opposite direction to the winds around a high pressure system

B

a severe snowstorm

C

the general weather patterns in an area over a period of time

D

storm that produces widespread straight-line sustained winds

E

the calm center of a cyclone

F

an overflow of water typically caused by rain

G

a brief, sudden increase in the wind speed

H

the measure of moisture in the air

I

a line on a map connecting points that have the same atmospheric pressure

J

the meandering air current in the troposhere

K

a measure for wind speed equal to 1.15 mph

L

bright, hot flashes of light caused by storms

M

an abrupt seasonal wind reversal, prevalent in Asia

N

phenomena in the atmosphere caused by the Sun's solar activity, also called an aurora

O

when clouds cover at least 95% of the sky

P

any moisture that falls from the sky

Q

when there is little to no weather activity in an area

R

what meteorologists use to predict or monitor the weather; a system that uses radio waves to track objects

S

the second lowest layer of the atmosphere

T

a spinning funnel of wind caused by thunderstorms

U

a small-scale current of rising air

V

how fast an object moves

W

the movement of air

X

a frequency band of microwave radiation in which radars operate

Y

snow given a golden or yellow appearance by the presence in it of pine, cypress pollen, or anthropogenic material or animal-produced material

Z

wind blowing in a westward direction