Weather Glossary...WEATHER BY GIANNETTA...Giannetta. Charles. WA3RSQ. EL-NINO. Weather Magazines...Meteorology. Hurricanes. Tornadoes. Floods. Clouds. Radar. Forecasting. Thunderstorms. Lightning. Atmosphere. 69. Grand. Prix. Also WX DATA for Bath Pa.
This web site is dedicated in memory of: Laurie Elizabeth Giannetta. Twin Daughter"Weather By Giannetta"This web site is dedicated in memory of: Laurie Elizabeth Giannetta. Twin Daughter


"Charles A. Giannetta"
Meteorologist - Professor" Bath, Pa, USA.



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"W"

Waning Moon: To grow...The amount of the Moon surface that can be seen each day.
Warm Air: Rides over cold air.
Warm Air: Is lighter than cold air and will rise above colder air.
Warm Air Advection: The horizontal transfer of warm air to cold air.
Warm Air Occlusion: When warm air overtakes and replaces warm air.

Warm Air Occlusion Symbol:

Warm Core Weather Systems: Weather systems with the air at their center warmer than the surrounding air.
Warm Front: When warm air replaces cold air.
Warm Front Symbol:

Warm Sector: The area of warm air.
Watch: Issued by the National Weather Service when there is a potential for severe weather:
Watch Box: Issued by the National Weather Service when there is a potential for severe weather:
Wave Cyclone: A low pressure or "Cyclone" which forms along a front.
Water Equivalant: The amount of liquid measured on the ground from snow, ice and frozen precipitation.
Water In 3 Stages:Solid: Liquid: Gas:
Water: H2O Water: H20. 2 parts Hydrogen 1 part water.
Water Pollution: When water is now longer to drink or swim in.
Water: Pure: Pure water is oderless, colorless and tasteless. Has a PH of 7.
Water Spout: A tornado over water.
Water Table: The level below the earth's surface where water is located.
Water Vapor:The amount of moisture the air. Water in the vapor form. Expressed as: Vapor Pressure/Vapor Pressure Mixing Ratio/Relative Humidity. The amount of moisture present in the atmosphere at a given temperature. Also expressed as: Saturation Vapor Pressure/ Saturation Mixing Ratio/Relative Humidity as to how much moisture the atmosphere can hold at a given temperature. The maximun amout of moisture the atmosphere can hold is 4 percent.
Wavelenght: Is measured from "Crest to Crest" or "Trough to Trough".
Waxing Moon: Shrinking. The amount of the Moon's surface that can be seen shrinks each day.
Weather:The state of the atmosphere at a given location at a given time.
Weather Acronyms:
Weather Balloon: A large balloon filled with helium connected to a "Radiosonde" which is sent aloft to determine the wind speed/wind direction/temperature/pressure/humidity up to 100,000+ feet which is tracked by electronic ground equipment.

1. Weather Charts: 1000-500 mb Thickness Chart: On this chart the 5400 thickness contour is an indicator of snow.
2. Weather Charts: K-Index Chart: This chart indicates the chance of thunderstorms. A K-Index of 26 indicates a chance of thunderstorms. 32 is a good chance and 36 is likely.
To compute the "K-INDEX": (500mb Temp - 850mb Temp) + 850 mb Dew Point - 700mb Temp/Dewpoint Depression. 


Example: 500 mm Temp. = -23    850 mb Dew Point = 7
         850 mb Temp. = -10    700 mb Temp. = 20, Dew Point = 10. 
                       ----    Depression = 10.
         Difference   = -13  

K-Index = -13 +7 = -6 + 10 = +4 = K-Index.


3. Precipitable Water Chart:
1.15  The top number is the amount of water in hundredths of inches.
----
  97  The Bottom number is the percent of normal for that time of year.

Weather Element: The conditions observed in a weather observation such as: Temperature/RH/Wind/Air Pressure/Dew Point/
Sky condition/Visibility/Runway Visual Range/Obscurations. 


Weather Instruments Used In Taking Weather Observations: 


1.  Aerovane:      Observing Wind Direction & Wind Speed.
2.  Anemometer:    Observing Wind Speed.
3.  Barometer:     Observing Barometric Pressure.
4.  Barograph:     Observing & Recording Barometric Pressure.
5.  Ceiling Light: An instrument for measueing cloud heights usually located at the end of an airport runway.
6.  Ceilometer:    An instrument for measueing cloud heights usually located at the end of an airport runway.
7.  Clinometer:    An instrument used with a ceiling light or clinometer at night for measueing cloud heights.
8.  Max & Min Thermometers:   Observing the daily max and min temperatures.
9.  Pyranometer: Observing Solar Radiation.
10. Radar:       Observing, Locating & Tracking weather systems: Precipitation: Rain: Snow: Hail: Etc.
11  Raingauge: 8 Inch:  Observing Precipitation: Rainfall: Snowfall: Freezing Rain: Sleet: Etc.
12  Radiosonde:   Sent aloft attached to a large weather balloon to measure air temperature, pressure,
                  humidity, wind speed and directions to 100,000 feet and beyond.Observing Solar Radiation.
13. Rotating Beam Ceilometer:   An instrument for measueing cloud heights usually located at the end of an airport runway.
14. Satellites:  Observing, Locating & Tracking weather systems: Tropical Storms: Hurricanes: Cyclones: Typhoons:
15. Sling Psychrometer:  Observing Relative Humidity.
16. Sunswitch:   Observing Minutes Of Sunshine.
17. Theodolite:  Tracking weather balloons to observe wind speed and directions up to 60,000+ feet.
18. Thermograph: Observing & Recording temperature.
19. Thermometer: Observing Wind Air Temperature.
20. Tipping  Bucket Raingauge:  Observing Precipitation: Rainfall: Snowfall: Freezing Rain: Sleet: Etc.
21. Transmissometer:   An instrument for determiming slant visibility located at the end of an airport runway.
22. Weighing Bucket Raingauge:  Observing Precipitation: Rainfall: Snowfall: Freezing Rain: Sleet: Etc.
23. Weather Shelter:  To house weather instruments out of direct sunlight.
24. Weather Vane:     Observing Wind Direction.

Weather Map: A graphical model which integrates weather observations.


Weather Modification: To change of alter the weather.
Weather Radar: Radar designed for obsering weather.
Weather Satelites: Geosynchronous (GOES) A "Geosynchronous" (GOES) Geostationary Opernational Environment Satellite is one that is stationary positioned above the equator at app. 23,000 miles above the earth while taking pictures of the latest weather patterns.
Weather Satelites: Polar Orbiting:A "Polar Orbiting" Weather Satelite is one that orbits from pole to pole at about 17,000 mph some 500 to 600 miles above the earth while taking pictures of the latest weather patterns.

"Weather Service Offices"
"National Weather Service"

1. WSCMO:..Weather Service Contract Meteorological Observatory.
2. WSFO:.......Weather Service Forecast Office.
3. WFO:.........Weather Service Forecast Office.
4. WSO:.........Weather Service Office.
5. NCDC:........National Climatic Data Center.

6. NHC:.........National Hurricane Center.
7. NOAA:......National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration.
8. NSSFC:.....National Severe Storms Forecast Center.
9. RFC:..........River Forecast Center.



Weather Shelter: A unit constructed of wood which contains weather instruments such as thermometers out of direct sunlight.


Weather Systems: Warm Core: Hurricanes are "Warm Core" systems. The air at their center is warmer than the surrounding air.
Weather Systems: Cold Core "Mid Atlantic" storms are "Cold Core" with the lowest temperatures at or near the center.
Weather Vane:A weather instrument which indicates wind direction.

-



Weather Warnings:Weather Warnings are issued by the National Weather Service when hazardous weather is possible or
has occurred or the atmospheric conditions are considered right for severe weather to occur.
WeatherWatches:Weather Watches area issued by the: National Weather Service when hazardous weather is imminent or observed.
Weighing Bucket Raingauge: A a very accurate weather instrument that is
used to measure precipitation that uses a scale to weigh the precipitation.

Weight Of A column Of Air On Earth: 14.7 Lbs per sq. inch....29.92 inches of Mercury....1013.20 Millibars.
Westerlies: Winds which blow from the west.
Wet Bulb Depression: The difference between the dry bulb and wet bulb temperature. Example: Dry Bulb = 70 Degs. F. Wet Bulb = 60 degs. F. The Depression is 10 degrees.
Wet Bulb Temperature: The temperature obtained from a wet bulb thermometer to obtain the water vapor content (Relative Humidity) of the atmosphere.
Wet Bulb Thermometer: A thermometer covered with muslin to measure wet-bulb temperature.
WFO: National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office
WFP: Warm Front Passage
Whirlwind: A rotating column of air.
Whitecap: The crest of a breaking wave which is white.
Willy-Willy: The same as a hurricane or cyclone near Australia.
Wind: Air in motion in relationship to the Earth's surface.
Wind: Head Wind: When facing into the wind the wind is coming toward you.
Wind: Tail Wind: When the wind is to your back.

"Wind" 



1. Wind:  Light & variable. = 0-5 mph.
2. Wind:  Breezy = 15-25 mph.
3. Windy: Windy = 20-30mph.
4. Wind:  Very Windy = 30-40 mph.
5. Wind:  Strong = 40 mph.
6. Wing:  Gale Force = 62-74 mph
7. Wind:  Hurricane = 74+ mph.


  1 Wind: Admiral Francis Beaufort. Admiral In the British Navy.
          Invented the "Beaufort Wind Scale" 1806.
  2 Wind: Advetions
  3 Wind: Air in motion. Causes of wind.
  4 Wind: Aircraft: landing & Take offs.
  5 Wind: At the end of airpot runways.
  6 Wind: CAT" Clear Air Turbulence.
  7 Wind: Chinook Wind. Warm & dry. Indian Meaning: Snow Eater.
  8 Wind: Chinook: Called (Foehn) downslope speeds of 100 mph.
  9 Wind: Cold air move towards warm air.
 10 Wind: Eddies. CAT: Clear Air Turbulence.
 11 Wind: Fallout form atomic explosions.
 12 Wind: Fire Weather Forecast.
 13 Wind: Florida. State with most thunderstorms.
 14 Wind: Florida: Converging. Land/Sea Breeze.
 15 Wind: Flying Kites.
 16 Wind: Force on Tall Mountains: Tall Buildings
 17 Wind: Force: Pressure
 18 Wind: Forecasts for aviation.
 19 Wind: Gusts. Squall.
 20 Wind: High Pressure moves towrds low pressure.
 21 Wind: High Wind Warning. 40mph or greater.
 22 Wind: Hurricane. 74 mph
 23 Wind: Jet Winds.
 24 Wind: Katabatic. Cold & Dry.
 25 Wind: Land Breeze. Nighttime
 26 Wind: Lidar: Small laser beam 0f infrared light.
 27 Wind: Light & variable wind 0-5 mph. Breezy 15-25 mph
 28 Wind: Location of wind measuring equipment. 30+ ft up.
 29 Wind: Low to the Left in the Northern Hemisphere
 30 Wind: Macrbursts. A downburst that affects a path on the
 31 Wind: ground longer than 2.5 miles.
          Meridional: N-S, S-N. More violent Weather.
 32 Wind: Microbursts. A downburst the affects a path on the
          ground shorter that 2.5 miles.
 33 Wind: Monsoon. Change in wind direction.
 34 Wind: Mountain Breeze. Nighttime. Cold.
 35 Wind: Mountain Waves. Rotor Winds
 36 Wind: Mt. Washington, New Hempshire. 6,288ft.
 37 Wind: Mt. Washington. Wind speed in April 1934, 239 MPH
 38 Wind: Noreasters. Causes much shore damage.
 39 Wind: One minute average.
 40 Wind: Onshore. Offshore.
 41 Wind: Oscillating Currents
 42 Wind: Pilot Balloon. 10 gram. 100 gram. Red. White. Black
 43 Wind: Planting Trees and bushes.
 44 Wind: Pollution and radiation. Chemical spills.
 45 Wind: Prevailing Wind.
 46 Wind: Profiler.
 47 Wind: Radiosonde Baloon.
 48 Wind: Santa Ana Wind. High Pressure. Southern California.
 49 Wind: Santa Ana Wind: Down sloping. Helps Fan fires.
 50 Wind: Santa Ana: warm & Dry.
 51 Wind: Sea Breeze. Daytime. Stronger. Stronger
 52 Wind: Sky diving. Ballooning. Hand Gliding. Gliders.
 53 Wind: Thunderstorms.
 54 Wind: Tornado. 100+ mph to well over 300mph.
 55 Wind: Traveling. Auto/Aircraft/Sailing.
 56 Wind: Turbulence behind aircraft.
 57 Wind: Up & Down Drafts.
 58 Wind: Used to build airport Runways/Homes.
 59 Wind: Valley Breeze. Daytime. Warm.
 60 Wind: Vortices: Rotating Wind
 61 Wind: Water Spout.
 62 Wind: Wet/Dry Monsoon. India. Japan. Southern US.
 63 Wind: Whirlwinds & Dust Storms. Dust devils.
 64 Wind: Wind and vegtation. Destroys crops.
 65 Wind: Wind Chill Index.
 66 Wind: Wind Direction indicator: Weather Vane.
 67 Wind: Wind Erosion of mountains/buildings/bridges.
 68 Wind: Wind In Layers at various altitudes.
 69 Wind: Wind Mills. Very costly. Producing electricty.
 70 Wind: Wind sculptured trees.
 71 Wind: Wind Shear
 72 Wind: Wind speed indicator: Anemometer. Aerovane.
 73 Wind: Wind Targets. Doppler Radar. Moisture.
 74 Wind: Wind Tunnel
 75 Wind: Windy 20-30mph. Very windy 30-40mph. Strong 40+mph.
 76 Wind: Zonal Flow Pattern: West to East: Milder Weather.
 77 Wind: Zonal Flow. West-East. Lest Violent Weather.
 78 Wind: 1. Planetary: Northeast Trade Winds.
 79 Wind: 2. Synoptic Scale. Hurricanes, Cyclones
 80 Wind: 3. Mesoscale: Thunderstorms
 81 Wind: 4. Microscale: Tornado, Water Spouts


Wind Chill Index:
Wind chill index (also called wind-chilled factor.) The cooling effect of any
combination of temperature and wind, expressed as the loss of body heat in
kilograms per hour per square meter of skin surface. The term "wind chill" was
coined by Antarctic Explorer Paul A. Siple in 1939.
During the 1940s Paul Siple and Charles F. Passel conducted experiments with
the temperature and wind speed to develope the wind chill formula.

A 30 mph wind, combined with a temperature of 30 degs. F., can have
the same chilling effect upon you as a temperature of 15 degs. F., when
the wind is calm.

"Wind Chill Formula"


Wind Chill (°F) = 35.74 + 0.6215T - 35.75(V0.16) + 0.4275T(V0.16)

"V" is the wind speed value in mph.
"T" is the temperature in °F.

Frostbite occurs in 15 minutes or less at wind chill temp. of -18 Degs or lower.



Wind Direction: The direction
the wind is coming from. 


 "Wind Direction"

  8 Points Of The Compass        16 Points Of The Compass
   
     Dir.  Degs.  Dir. Degs.          Dir.  Degs.  Dir.  Degs.
    -------------------------       ---------------------------
      N     360 |  S    180 |       |  N     360 |  S     180 |
      N      10 |  S    190 |       |  N      10 |  S     190 |
      N      20 |  S    200 |       | NNE     20 | SSW    200 |
      NE     30 | SW    210 |       | NNE     30 | SSW    210 |
      NE     40 | SW    220 |       |  NE     40 |  SW    220 |
      NE     50 | SW    230 |       |  NE     50 |  SW    230 |
      NE     60 | SW    240 |       | ENE     60 | WSW    240 |
      E      70 |  W    250 |       | ENE     70 | WSW    250 |
      E      80 |  W    260 |       |  E      80 |  W     260 |
      E      90 |  W    270 |       |  E      90 |  W     270 |
      E     100 |  W    280 |       | ESE    100 |  W     280 |
      E     110 |  W    290 |       | ESE    110 | WNW    290 |
      SE    120 | NW    300 |       |  SE    120 | WNW    300 |
      SE    130 | NW    310 |       |  SE    130 |  NW    310 |
      SE    140 | NW    320 |       | SSE    140 |  NW    320 |
      SE    150 | NW    330 |       | SSE    150 | NNW    330 |
      S     160 |  N    340 |       |  S     160 | NNW    340 |
      S     170 |  N    350 |       |  S     170 |  N     350 |
    -------------------------       ---------------------------


Wind Sock: An indicator that shows the wind direction.
Wind Gust: A quick change in wind speed.
Wind Sheer: A sudden change in wind direction producing shearing conditions.
Wind Shift: When the wind changes direction by 45 degrees or more in less than 15 minutes.
Wind Speed: The rate air moves by a set point.
Wind Vane:A weather instrument which indicates wind direction.
Winter: The coldest time of the year between fall and spring.
Winter Soltice: Occures on or about December 21st.
Winter Storm Watch: Severe winter weather may affect your area.
Winter Storm Waning: Severe winter weather is imminent in your area.
WMC:World Meteorological Center: Geneva, Switzerland.
World Meteorological Organization:WMO: World Meteorological Organization: Geneva, Switzerland.
WSFO:National Weather Service Forecast Office. Such as: Mount Holly, NJ.
WSR-57:Weather Radar designed in 1957.
WSR-74:Weather Radar designed in 1974.
WSR-88D:Weather Radar designed in 1988: Doppler Radar.
WW:A severe thunderstorm watch issued by the National Weather Service.
WX: Acronym for the word: "Weather".


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