PVA for Weather Glossary

Weather Glossary - A

Absolute humidity

The mass of water vapour in a given volume of air. It represents the density

of water vapour in the air. See also Specific humidity, Relative humidity.

Absolute zero

The temperature at which (theoretically) there is no molecular/atomicmotion. (-273°C or -460°F). Absolute zero is the lowest possibly attainabletemperature.

Absorption

The process in which incident radiant energy is retained by a substance.

ACCAS

(Pronounced Ack-kas)

A

lto

C

umulus

CAS

tellanus

Latin - castle

Mid-level clouds (bases generally 2000 - 8000m), of which at least a fractionof their upper parts show cumulus-type development. These clouds are oftentaller than they are wide, giving them a turret-shaped appearance. AcCasclouds are a sign of instability aloft, and may precede the rapid developmentof thunderstorms.

Accessory cloud

A cloud which is dependent on a larger cloud system for development andcontinuance. Roll clouds, shelf clouds and wall clouds are examples of accessory clouds.

Accretion

The growth of a precipitation particle by the collision of ice crystals or snow-flakes with supercooled liquid droplets that freeze upon impact.

Adiabatic

A thermodynamic process in which no heat is transferred to the surroundingair.In an adiabatic process, compression of an air parcel results in an increase intemperature, while expansion results in a decrease in temperature.

Advection

Transport of an atmospheric property, e.g. heat or moisture, by the wind.See cold advection, moisture advection, and warm advection.

Advection fog

Fog which develops when a mass of relatively warm, moist air moves over acooler surface and cools the air below its dew point temperature. Advection

fog requires movement of air to form (hence the name). Advection fog is

common at sea where it is called sea fog.

Air

The mixture of gases and particles which make up the Earth's atmosphere.

Air mass

A large body of air throughout which the horizontal temperature and

moisture characteristics are similar.

Air mass thunderstorm

Generally, a thunderstorm not associated with a front or other type of synoptic-scale forcing mechanism. Air mass thunderstorms typically areassociated with warm, humid air in the summer months; they developduring the afternoon in response to solar insolation and dissipate ratherquickly after sunset.Air mass thunderstorms are generally less likely to be severe than othertypes of thunderstorms, but they are still capable of producing downbursts,brief heavy rain, and (in extreme cases) hail over 2cm in diameter.Since all thunderstorms are associated with some type of forcingmechanism, synoptic-scale or otherwise, the existence of true air-massthunderstorms is debatable. Therefore the term is somewhat controversialand should be used with discretion.

Air pressure

A measure of the mass of air above a given point. Usually expressed inmillibars (mb) or hectopascals (hPa). Also known as atmospheric orbarometric pressure (pressure measured by a barometer).

Albedo

The reflectivity of a surface. It is the percent of radiation reflected from asurface compared to the radiation striking it. A perfectly reflective surfacewould have an albedo of 100. The Earth¶s albedo is around 30, snow has ahigher albedo, grasslands and forests a lower albedo.

Altimeter

An instrument to measure the altitude of an object above a fixed level.Generally, mean sea level is used for the reference level.

Altocumulus

(

Ac)

Mid-level cloud (bases generally 2000 - 8000m), made up of grey,puffy masses, sometimes appearing in parallel waves or bands. An indicatorof mid-level instability. Altocumulus can take on various forms such as AcLenticularis, Ac Undulatus, Ac Castellanus, Altocumulus 'mackerel sky'.

Altocumulus Castellanus

A middle level cloud with vertical development that forms from altocumulusclouds. It is composed primarily of ice crystals in its higher portions andcharacterised by its turrets, protuberances or crenulated tops.

Altostratus

(

As)

Mid-level cloud composed of water droplets and ice crystals. Usuallygives the sun a watery or dimly visible appearance.

Anabatic winds

A local wind that flows up the side of valleys due to increased heating alongthe valley walls. Often the anabatic wind results in cumulus clouds along theridges either side of the valley. See also Katabatic winds.

Anemometer

A device used to measure wind speed.

Anomaly

The departure of an element from its long-term average for the locationconcerned. For example, if the average maximum temperature for

Melbourne in June is 14 degrees and on one particular day the temperature

only reaches 10 degrees, than the anomaly for that day is -4.

Anticyclone

A large scale atmospheric circulation system in which the winds rotate anticlockwise in the Southern Hemisphere (clockwise in Northern Hemisphere).Anticyclones are areas of high atmospheric pressure and are generallyassociated with light winds and stable weather conditions. Interchangeablewith High pressure system.

Anticyclonic rotation

Rotation in the opposite sense as the Earth's rotation, i.e., anticlockwise in