Meteorology

Meteorology

A database of terms pertaining to the scientific study of the atmosphere.

Contributors in Meteorology

Meteorology

A belt of trees and/or shrubs arranged as a protection against strong winds; a type of windbreak. The trees may be specially planted or left standing when the original forest is cut. A shelterbelt ...

subtropical jet stream

Weather; Meteorology

A band of relatively strong winds concentrated between 20° and 40° latitude in the middle and upper troposphere. It can be present at any longitude but is generally strongest off the Asian coast. See ...

small circle

Weather; Meteorology

A line formed by the intersection of the surface of a sphere and a plane that does not pass through the center of the sphere. See great circle.

superbolt

Weather; Meteorology

A lightning discharge of extraordinary peak luminosity when observed from space.

steering level

Weather; Meteorology

A level in the atmosphere where the velocity of the basic flow bears a direct relationship to the velocity of movement of an atmospheric disturbance embedded in the flow. This concept is most often ...

Q code

Weather; Meteorology

A letter code used by aircraft in requests for information; it is also used in the supply of information to aircraft. Certain items in the code relate to meteorological information, for example, QFE ...

snow-generating level

Weather; Meteorology

A layer in the middle or upper troposphere in widespread precipitation in which ice crystals form in small convective cells and fall to lower altitudes. Such layers are thought to be characterized by ...