The difference between the input quantity applied to a measuring instrument and the output quantity indicated by the instrument. The inaccuracy of an instrument is equal to the sum of its instrument error and its uncertainty.

The temperature at which an object gives out as much radiation as it receives from its surroundings.

February 2nd. In American folklore, a day that is popularly supposed to provide the key to the weather for the remainder of the winter. Specifically, if the ground-hog upon emerging from its hole casts a shadow, it will return underground, thereby forebod ...

A device that combines several separate communications signals into one and outputs them on a single line.

The temperature at which all three phases of a substance can exist in equilibrium. This temperature occurs at only one pressure. The triple-point of water is 273.16 K and is the basis of the Kelvin scale.

A device which surrounds a rain gauge and acts to maintain horizontal flow in the vicinity of the funnel so that the catch will not be influenced by eddies generated near the gauge. See Alter shield, Nipher shield, Wild fence.

Instrument for measuring the depth of water from precipitation that is assumed to be distributed over a horizontal, impervious surface and not subject to evaporation.

An instrument which automatically records the voltage applied to it, as a function of time.

A rainbow seen in the spray of the ocean. It is optically the same phenomenon as the ordinary rainbow.

Frequency Shift Keying. A form of frequency modulation of a data signal performed by a modem for transmission over dedicated wire or phone lines.

The difference between the air temperature and the dew-point. Also called dew-point deficit, dew-point depression.

The elevation of the water surface in a stream as measured by a river gauge with reference to some arbitrarily selected zero datum.

A box-like structure designed to protect certain meteorological instruments from exposure to direct sunlight, precipitation, and condensation, while at the same time providing adequate ventilation. Instrument shelters are painted white, have louvered side ...

A calorimetric radiation instrument of historic interest used for the measurement of outgoing heat radiation from the earth during an interval of time. The time integration is performed by allowing the radiation to fall on an uninsulated vessel containing ...

Temperarure at which a liquid solidifies under any given set of conditions. It may or may not be the same as the melting point or the more rigidly defined true freezing point or (for water) ice point.

A balloon used to carry a radiosonde aloft, considerably larger than pilot balloons or ceiling balloons.

See sea-water thermometer, reversing thermometer.

The component of the radiosonde which includes the modulating blocking oscillator and the radiofrequency carrier oscillator.

The temperature registered by a thermometer with its bulb at the level of the tops of the grass blades in short turf.

The sum of solar and terrestrial radiation.