Contraction for radiosonde observation.

The rate of decrease of temperature with height when unsaturated air is lifted adiabatically (without exchange of heat with its surroundings). The decrease is due to expansion as the air is lifted to a lower pressure.

Same as rain-intensity gauge.

A form of psychrometer with wet-bulb and dry-bulb thermometers mounted on opposite sides of a specialty designed graph of the psychrometric tables. It is so arranged that the intersections of two curves determined by the wet-bulb and dry-bulb readings -yi ...

An aneroid barometer arranged so that the deflection of the aneroid capsule actuates a pen which graphs a record on a rotating drum. Sometimes called aneroidograph.

Electromagnetic radiation of very short wavelength. lying within the wavelength interval of 0.1 to 1.5 angstroms (between gamma rays and ultraviolet radiation). X-rays penetrate various thicknesses of all solids, and they act on photographic plates in the ...

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 ...

Wind with a speed between 4 and 27 knots (4 and 31 mph); Beaufort scale numbers 2 through 6.

The rising of cold water from the deeper areas of the ocean to the surface. This phenomena often occurs along the California coast during the spring and summer.

A wind blowing in a direction perpendicular to the course of a moving object.

A method of winds aloft observation accomplished by tracking a balloon-borne radar target or radiosonde with either radar or a radio theodolite.

Wind with a speed between 56 and 63 knots (64 and 72 mph); Beaufort scale number 11.

General term for an instrument used to make direct measurements of visual range or measurements of the physical characteristics of the atmosphere which determine the visible range.

The change in the measured transducer output caused by changes in ambient temperature. Usually expressed a percentage of full scale.

A class of rain gauge in which the level of the collected rain water is measured by the position of a float resting on the surface of the water.

An addition to a rawinsonde system which allows determination of the slant range to the radiosonde.

An instrument for measuring snow hardness in terms of the resistance of snow to the pressure exerted by a disk attached to a spring-loaded rod, a gauge calibrated in pounds per square inch registers the amount of resistance. See Canadian hardness gauge.

In nautical terminology, a contraction for "weather glass" (a mercury barometer).

A barometer which measures atmospheric pressure using one or a series of aneroid capsules. Also called holosteric barometer.

The actual lifting force of an inflated balloon, usually expressed in grams.