Contraction for radiosonde observation.

The water portion of the earth as distinguished from the solid part, called the lithosphere, and from the gaseous outer envelope, called the atmosphere.

The maximum deviation of any points from a straight line drawn as a "best fit" through the calibration points of an instrument with a linear response curve. Usually expressed as a percentage of full- scale range.

A temperature telemeter.

A numbering system using a base number of 16 and including the ten decimal digits (0 to 9) along with six alpha digits (A to F). Thus. a digit is available to represent each of the possible values of a 4-bit binary digit.

modulated radiosonde-A radiosonde which transmits the indications of the meteorological sensing elements in the form of pulses spaced in time. The meteorological data are evaluated from the intervals between the pulses. Also called timeinterval radiosonde ...

An instrument for the measurement of the radon content of the atmosphere.

A type of cyanometer. an instrument used to measure the blueness of the sky. The Linke-scale is simply a set of eight cards of different standardized shades of blue. They are evenly numbered 2 to 26. The odd numbers are used by the observer if he or she j ...

The difference between the solar radiation directed downward and upward; net flux of solar radiation.

The stage on a fixed river gauge at which it is necessary to begin issuing warnings or river forecasts if adequate precautionary measures are to be taken before flood stage is reached.

An evaluation of upper air temperature, pressure, and humidity from radio signals received from a balloon- borne radiosonde.

A coating of ice, generally clear and smooth. formed by the freezing of supercooled water on a surface.

A recording hair hygrometer.

The quantity to be measured (or modulated, or detected, or operated upon) which is received by an instrument. Thus, for a thermometer. temperature is the input quantity.

An instrument for measuring the difference between incoming and outgoing terrestrial radiation.

Navy Operational Global Atmospheric Prediction System. A global meteorological model operated by the Department of Defense.

An inert gas. An element found in the atmosphere to the extent of only 0.000114 percent by volume. Its molecular weight is 83.7.

An elongated area of relatively low atmospheric pressure. Usually associated with and most clearly identified as an area of maximum cyclonic curvature of the wind flow. The opposite of a ridge.

The direction from which the wind is blowing, measured in points of the compass or in azimuth degrees.

Rate of flow of water past a point in a stream, expressed as volume per unit time, i.e. cubic feet per second.