Weather Terms Glossary Courtesy: http://theweathernetwork.com 



 

Barometric Pressure: Barometric pressure is the pressure exerted by the weight of the column of air above a given point, expressed in kilopascals.



Blizzard:  Blizzard is a weather condition characterized by low temperatures and strong winds bearing large amounts of dry snow particles, which can reduce visibility to only a few metres
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Ceiling: Ceiling is a measurement primarily used by the aviation industry.



Cirrocumulus Clouds: Cirrocumulus clouds appear as thin, rounded white puffs that are isolated or in long rows, giving the cloud a rippling appearance.



Cirrostratus Clouds: Cirrostratus clouds are widespread, thin clouds, which form above 57-hundred meters. They usually cover a large portion of the sky​



Cirrus Clouds: Cirrus clouds form above 57-hundred meters. Since the temperatures are very cold at such high altitude, these clouds are primarily composed of ice crystals. High level clouds are usually thin and white in appearance but can appear in a magnificent array of colors when the sun is low on the horizon



Coastal Fog: Fog will be expected to form near the shore line, and may cause reduced visibility on roadways near the shore.



Cold Front: A cold front is the leading edge of colder air. In front of it, you usually have warmer, more humid air. Behind the front lies much cooler or colder and drier air.



Dew Point: The dew point is a measure of atmospheric moisture.



Fog: Fog is simply a cloud that touches the ground.



Freezing Rain: Freezing rain occurs when rain droplets fall into an above freezing layer of atmosphere and then into a shallow layer of cold air near the earth’s surface.



Front: A front is the dividing line between two air masses that have different densities and often different temperatures.



High Pressure Centre: Indicates an area of high pressure. In a high, air will slowly descend and flow out in a clockwise direction at the ground. Normally a high will bring mainly sunny skies to an area.



Low Pressure Centre: Indicates an area of low atmospheric pressure. In a low, air is flowing counterclockwise into the centre of the Low. The air will rise and cool often resulting in clouds and precipitation.



P.O.P: P.O.P. stands for "Probability of Precipitation



Sundogs: Sundogs are bright spots on either or both sides of the sun. They are also called mock suns, but the technical name for them is parhelia. They also occur (less brightly) around the moon. Of course, they are called moon dogs. Sundogs are images of the sun formed as a result of light bending through tiny, floating ice crystals in the air or high clouds.



Trough: An elongated area of low pressure.



Virga: Virga is any form of precipitation that evaporates into the drier air before it reaches the ground.



Warm Front: A front can best be described as the border between two different air masses. A warm front is the leading edge of a milder or warmer air mass. A warm front travels in such a way that it results in warm air replacing colder air. This happens as the warm air rises up and over the cold air below. As the warm air travels upwards, it begins to mix with the cold air aloft and condenses to form clouds. You can usually expect periods of rain or drizzle for many hours as the front approaches.



Warning VS Watch: A warning is a particular weather hazard is either imminent or has been reported. A watch is conditions are more favorable than usual for its occurrence.



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