Weather Vocabulary

 

Science-a system of gathering knowledge of the world around us through observation and experimentation

 

Experiment-a method of gathering information; a test under controlled conditions

 

Lab-a method of gathering information; This could be through an experiment, a demonstration, or other type of hands on activity

 

Weather-the state of the atmosphere at any given place and time

 

Evaporation-the change from water to water vapor

 

Condensation-the process of water droplets forming on a surface that is colder than the air around it

 

Precipitation-any form of water that falls from the sky

 

Freezing Rain-rain that falls as a liquid, but turns to ice upon coming in contact with the ground or surface object

 

Sleet-precipitation that begins as rain and then turns to ice while falling

 

Snow-frozen precipitation that falls in the form of white hexagonal flakes

 

Hail-ice that forms within a thunderstorm before falling to earth

 

Cumulonimbus-the type of cloud associated with a thunderstorm

 

Mammatus-low clouds that appear underneath or along with a cumulonimbus cloud caused by sinking cold air

 

Anvil-the shape of a cumulonimbus cloud when the top becomes flat due to upper level winds

 

Meteorologist-a scientist who studies and predicts weather

 

Atmospheric (Air) pressure-the force caused by the weight of the atmosphere

 

Barometer-an instrument used to measure atmospheric pressure

 

Humidity-moisture in the atmosphere

 

Atmosphere-the air surrounding the earth

 

Heat Index-The temperature the air feels; temperature + humidity

 

Hygrometer-an instrument that measures humidity

 

Front-boundaries between air masses of different temperatures

 

Cold front-the leading edge of a mass of cold air

 

Warm front-the leading edge of a mass of warm air

 

Stationary Front-a front that is not moving

 

Isobars-lines of equal pressure

 

Dewpoint-the temperature at which dew forms on the ground

 

Thermometer-instrument used to measure temperature

 

Anemometer-instrument used to measure wind speed

 

Weather Vane-instrument used to show direction of wind

Rain Gauge-instrument used to measure rainfall

Jet Stream-a high speed westerly wind current

 
Gulf Stream-a warm ocean current that flows from the Gulf of Mexico

Wind chill-the temperature the air feels when cold air blows against your skin

Runoff- water that runs directly into a ditch, creek or river