A component of a radiosonde consisting of a series of alternate electrically conducting and insulating strips. As these are scanned by a contact the radiosonde transmits temperature and humidity signals alternately. The contact may be a baroswitch as in t ...

Abbreviation for radio frequency.

The average temperature of the air as indicated by a properly exposed thermometer for a given time period, usually a day, a month, or a year.

Area of a computer or other device where various logic and control elements are interconnected. Often a printed circuit board into which other circuit boards plug at right angles.

A system of designating meteorological observing stations by number. established and administered by the World Meteorological Organization. Under this scheme, specified areas of the word are divided into "blocks" each bearing a two-number designator. Stat ...

Snow shower, particularly of a very light and brief nature.

A balloon having a detachable tail which is released when the balloon has undergone a predetermined expansion. It thus serves to measure approximately the density of the atmosphere at the point of release.

Instrument for measuring the mean intensity of glo global solar radiation (direct and diffuse) near the earth's surface in a specified time interval.

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

A photometric unit of illuminance or illumination equal to one lumen per square meter

Technically, the temperature registered by the dry-bulb thermometer of a psychrometer. However, it is identical with the temperature of the air and may also be used in that sense.

A hygrometer in which the sensitive element is a strand or strands of human hair, the length of which is a function of the relative humidity of the air.

Hygrometer in which the dew (frost) point is determined by observing the temperature of an artificially cooled surface at the moment at which dew (frost) first appears on it.

In physics, any process in which the flux density (or power, amplitude, intensity, illuminance, etc.) of a "parallel beam" of energy decreases with increasing distance from the source. Attenuation is always due to the action of the transmitting medium its ...

Same as pitot tube.

Abbreviation for binary digit. The smallest unit of information, equal to one binary decision, i.e. 1/0, on/off, yes/no.

A device attached to a meteorological instrument to provide ventilation; usually a suction fan.

The lowest level at which the wind becomes geostrophic in the theory of the Ekman spiral. Also called gradient wind level.

Pertaining to rain, or more broadly, to precipitation.

Central Processing Unit. The part of a computer which controls and directs all functions.