An instrument which automatically records the voltage applied to it, as a function of time.

Instrument for measuring the depth of water from precipitation that is assumed to be distributed over a horizontal, impervious surface and not subject to evaporation.

The temperature at which all three phases of a substance can exist in equilibrium. This temperature occurs at only one pressure. The triple-point of water is 273.16 K and is the basis of the Kelvin scale.

An instrument which automatically determines the size distribution of raindrops.

A device that combines several separate communications signals into one and outputs them on a single line.

Based upon damage patterns, classifies twisters into six categories of wind speed (F0 thru F5), ranging from 40 to 318 mph estimated wind speed.

See sea-water thermometer, reversing thermometer.

A rainbow seen in the spray of the ocean. It is optically the same phenomenon as the ordinary rainbow.

The difference between the air temperature and the dew-point. Also called dew-point deficit, dew-point depression.

Temperarure at which a liquid solidifies under any given set of conditions. It may or may not be the same as the melting point or the more rigidly defined true freezing point or (for water) ice point.

A calorimetric radiation instrument of historic interest used for the measurement of outgoing heat radiation from the earth during an interval of time. The time integration is performed by allowing the radiation to fall on an uninsulated vessel containing ...

The difference between the input quantity applied to a measuring instrument and the output quantity indicated by the instrument. The inaccuracy of an instrument is equal to the sum of its instrument error and its uncertainty.

A small pointer extending downward from the top of the cistern of a Fortin barometer. The level of the mercury in the cistern is adjusted so that it just comes in contact with the end of the pointer, thus setting the zero of the barometric scale.

A wind scale adapted by the U.S. Forest Service for use in the forested areas of the northern Rocky Mountains (NRM). It is an adaptation of the Beaufort wind scale. The difference between these two scales lies in the specification of the visual effects of ...

The component of the radiosonde which includes the modulating blocking oscillator and the radiofrequency carrier oscillator.

Operation mode of a communication circuit in which each end can simultaneously transmit and receive.

A balloon used to carry a radiosonde aloft, considerably larger than pilot balloons or ceiling balloons.

A box-like structure designed to protect certain meteorological instruments from exposure to direct sunlight, precipitation, and condensation, while at the same time providing adequate ventilation. Instrument shelters are painted white, have louvered side ...

The smallest change in the environment that causes detectable change in the indication of an instrument. Compare to sensitivity.

Precipitation composed of liquid water drops more than 0.5 mm in diameter, failing in relatively straight, but not necessarily vertical, paths. Compare to drizzle.