Meteorology: Random Listings 

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

A fixed-length group of bits representing the large data element handled as a unit by a computer. Word length is determined by the capacity of the CPU registers.

A semiconductor which exhibits rapid and extremely large changes in resistance for relatively small changes in temperature.

Pyrheliometer based on the comparison of the heating of two identical metal strips, one exposed to radiation, the other to a joule effect.

Graduated fixed stake used in regions of abundant snowfall to facilitate the measurement of snow depth.

The depth below which the ground is saturated with water. No water table exists if the ground water is confined by an overlying impermeable stratum, as in the case of artesian ground water.

The difference between the true value of some quantity and its observed value. Every observation is subject to certain errors. Systematic errors affect the whole of a series of observations in nearly the same way. For example, the scale of an instrument m ...

Anemometer which measures wind speed by the speed of rotation of 3 or 4 hemispherical or conical cups, each fixed to the end of a horizontal arm projecting from a vertical axis. See condenser-discharge anemometer, contact anemometer. Compare to bridled-cu ...

The distance that an observer can see vertically into a surface-based obscuring phenomenon such as fog, rain, or snow. The distance estimate must be based upon ceiling balloon ascensions or ceiling light projector measurements.

A graphical representation of a frequency distribution. The range of the variable is divided into class intervals for which the frequency of occurrence is represented by a rectangular column. The height of the column is proportional to the frequency of ob ...

A protocol similar to RS232 which makes use of differential transmission to provide high speed data transmission over significantly longer distances.

A special type of radar target, usually a comer reflector, tied beneath a free balloon and designed to be an efficient reflector of radio energy.

Snow gauge composed of a metal cylinder, closed at one end, used to obtain a sample of snow from which the water is measured after melting.

An instrument resulting from the combination of a thermograph and a hygrograph and furnishing, on the same chart, simultaneous time recording of ambient temperature and humidity.

The ratio of the actual amount of water evaporated into the atmosphere to the evaporative power. Also called relative evaporation.

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