A high-altitude sounding system consisting of a small solid- propellant research rocket carried aloft by a large plastic balloon. The rocket is fired near the maximum altitude of the balloon flight.

A type of disk hardness-gauge, especially useful in relatively soft snow. See disk hardness gauge.

The total luminous flux received on a unit area of a given real or imaginary surface, expressed in such units as the foot-candle, lux, or phot.

An instrument for measuring the pressure of the atmosphere. The two principle types are aneroid and mercurial.

In general, the transformation of data from a "raw" form to some useable form. In meteorology, this often refers to the conversion of the observed value of an element to the value which it would theoretically have at some selected or standard level. The m ...

A colloquial term in western Australia for a squall, associated with thunder, on the northwest coast in summer.

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 ...

An instrument, for the recording of two or more meteorological parameters, in which the ventilation is provided by a suction fan.

A protective coating applied to circuits.

Same as river gauge.

Anemometer which generates an electrical contact output with a frequency proportional to wind speed.

Amount of solar radiation incident, per unit area and time, on a surface which is perpendicular to the radiation and is situated at the outer limit of the atmosphere, the earth being at its mean distance from the sun. It equals approximately 2.00 ly/ min ...

An inert gas. A colorless, monatomic element which is found to occur in dry air to the extent of only 0.000524 percent by volume. Helium is very light, having a molecular weight of only 4.003 and specific gravity referred to air of 0.138. Because helium i ...

See radiosonde commutator.

That part of snow melt that reaches stream channels as runoff.

check chamber-A chamber use to check the sensing elements of radiosonde equipment.

Precipitation from a cumuliform cloud. Characterized by the suddenness of beginning and ending, by the rapid change in intensity, and usually by a rapid change in the condition of the sky. The solid or liquid water particles are usually bigger than the co ...

Physical equipment used in data processing. Compare to firmware, software.

A measure, proposed by Angstrom, of the precipitation effectiveness of a region.

In general, pertaining to or affording an overall view. In meteorology, this term has become somewhat specialized in referring to the use of meteorological data obtained simultaneously over a wide area for the purpose of obtaining a comprehensive and near ...