Sudanese name for duststorm or sandstorm with strong winds that carry small particles of dirt or sand into the air, particularly severe in areas of drought.

Precipitation that originates in convective clouds, such as cumulonimbus, in the form of balls or irregular pieces of ice, which comes in different shapes and sizes. Hail is considered to have a diameter of 5 millimeter or more; smaller bits of ice are classified as ice pellets, snow pellets, or graupel. Individual lumps are called hailstones. It is reported as "GR" in an observation and on the METAR. Small hail and/or snow pellets is reported as "GS" in an observation and on the METAR.

The ring of light that seems to encircle the sun or moon when veiled by cirrus clouds. To produce this phenomena, the ice crystals must be in a heterogeneous arrangement to refract the sunlight. The most commonly observed is a halo that forms at a 22 degrees radius, although another one at 46 degrees radius may also be seen.

A suspension of fine dust and/or smoke particles in the air. Invisible to the naked eye, the particles reduce visibility by being sufficiently numerous to give the air an opalescent appearance. It is reported as "HZ" in an observation and on the METAR.

A form of energy transferred between two systems by virtue of a difference in temperature. The first law of thermodynamics demonstrated that the heat absorbed by a system may be used by the system to do work or to raise its internal energy.

A Heat Advisory will be issued when the Heat Index is expected to reach 105 with a nightime low not below 80.

The equilibrium which exists on the average between the radiation received by the earth and atmosphere from the sun and that emitted by the earth and atmosphere. The balance between heat loss (long wave radiation from the earth back into the atmosphere) and heat gain (incoming solar radiation).

Introduced to the body by overexposure to high temperatures, particularly when accompanied by high humidity. The body has difficulty in cooling the body. Signs of heat exhaustion include a general weakness, heavy sweating and clammy skin, dizziness and/or fainting, and muscle cramps.

The combination of air temperature and humidity that gives a description of how the temperature feels. This is not the actual air temperature.

One heating degree day is given for each degree that the daily mean temperature is below 65 degrees Fahrenheit. It is used as an indication of fuel consumption. Refer to degree day or cooling degree day.

Lightning that appears as a glowing flash on the horizon. It is actually lightning occurring in distant thunderstorms, just over the horizon and too far away for thunder to be heard.

Introduced to the body by overexposure to high temperatures, particularly when accompanied by high humidity. The signs of heat stroke include when an individual's body temperature is greater than 105 degrees Fahrenheit, the skin is hot and dry, there is a rapid and irregular pulse, perspiration has stopped, and one has lost consciousness. Seek immediate medical aid. May be called a sun-stroke when caused by direct exposure to the sun.

A period of abnormally and uncomfortably hot and usually humid weather. It could last from several days to several weeks. The Weather Channel uses the following criteria for a heat wave: a minimum of ten states with 90 degree plus temperatures and the temperatures must be at least five degrees above normal in parts of that area for at least two days or more.

A property of a moving fluid, such as air, representing the potential for helical flow (flow that follows a corkscrew pattern). Computed from the vertical wind profile of the lower atmosphere and measured relative to the motion as a storm, it is used to forecast the formation of mesocyclones.

A term used to signify cirriform clouds that are composed of ice crystals and generally have bases above 20,000 feet. The main types of high clouds are cirrus, cirrocumulus, and cirrostratus. This altitude applies to the temperate zone. In the polar regions, these clouds may be found at lower altitudes. In the tropics, the defining altitudes for cloud types are generally higher.

The latitude belt roughly between 60 and 90 degrees North and South. Also referred to as the polar region.

An area of relative pressure maximum that has diverging winds and a rotation opposite to the earth's rotation. This is clockwise the in Northern Hemisphere and counterclockwise in the Southern Hemisphere. Also known as an anticyclone, it is the opposite of an area of low pressure or a cyclone.

Issued for sustained wind speeds of 40 MPH or greater lasting for 1 hour or longer, OR winds of 58 MPH or greater for any duration of time.

Issued when wind speeds are forecast to meet warning criteria with in the next 24-36 hours.

Another name for frost. A deposit of hoarfrost occurs when air with a dew point below freezing is brought to saturation by cooling.

A radar reflectivity pattern observed in a thunderstorm, appearing like a fish hook and indicating favorable conditions for tornadic development. However, hook echoes and tornadoes do not always accompany each other.

One of several lines or planes used as reference for observation and measurement relative to a given location on the surface of the earth. The geographic horizon, also called the apparent horizon, is the distant line along which earth and sky appear to meet. This is the usual concept of horizon and is used in weather observing. The local horizon is the actual lower boundary of the observed sky or the upper outline of terrestrial objects including nearby natural obstructions, such as mountains.

Located between 30 degrees North and South in the vicinity of the equator, this area typically has calm or light and variable winds. Another name for the equatorial trough, the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), or the doldrums.

An area of low pressure over or near the Hudson Bay area of Canada that often introduces cold air to the north central and northeast United States.

Also known as the Peru Current, this ocean current flows northward along the western side of South America, offshore Chile and Peru. There is considerable upwelling of the colder subsurface waters due to the prevailing southerly winds. Dominate weather in this area includes coastal fog and low clouds. The presence or lack of this current is a vital part of the weather pattern known as El Nino.

The amount of water vapor in the air. It is often confused with relative humidity or dew point. Types of humidity include absolute humidity, relative humidity,and specific humidity.

The name for a tropical cyclone with sustained winds of 74 miles per hour (65 knots) or greater in the North Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, and in the eastern North Pacific Ocean. This same tropical cyclone is known as a typhoon in the western Pacific and a cyclone in the Indian Ocean.

A formal advisory issued by forecasters at the National Hurricane Center when they have determined that a tropical storm or hurricane may threaten a coastal area or group of islands within a 24 hour period. A warning is used to inform the public and marine interests of the storm's location, intensity, and movement.

A formal advisory issued by forecasters at the National Hurricane Center when they have determined that a tropical storm or hurricane may threaten a coastal area or group of islands within a 24 to 36 hour period. A watch is used to inform the public and marine interests of the storm's location, intensity, and movement.

Any any form of atmospheric water vapor, including those blown by the wind off the earth's surface. Liquid or solid water formation that is suspended in the air includes clouds, fog, ice fog, and mist. Drizzle and rain are example of liquid precipitation, while freezing drizzle and freezing rain are examples of freezing precipitation. Solid or frozen precipitation includes ice pellets, hail, snow, snow pellets, snow grains, and ice crystals. Water vapor that evaporates before reaching the ground is virga. Examples of liquid or solid water particles that are lifted off the earth's surface by the wind includes drifting and blowing snow and blowing spray. Dew, frost, rime, and glaze are examples of liquid or solid water deposits on exposed objects.

Often called the water cycle, it is the vertical and horizontal transport of water in all its states between the earth, the atmosphere, and the seas.

The study of the waters of the earth, especially with relation to the effects of precipitation and evaporation upon the occurrence and character of water in streams, lakes, and on or below the land surface.

Considered as the water portion of the earth's surface. Part of the geosphere.

An instrument that records the hygrometer's measure of water vapor.

An instrument that measures the water vapor content of the atmosphere. See the psychrometer as an example.

Occurs when the core temperature of one's body falls below normal. It is the failure of the body to maintain adequate production of heat under conditions of extreme cold.