Synoptic Meteorology
This high-altitude river of air generally flows from west to east across the mid-latitudes.
What is the jet stream?
Weather radar primarily detects the return signal from precipitation, a measurement known as this.
What is reflectivity?
This climate pattern involving Pacific Ocean temperatures strongly influences winter weather in the PNW.
What is ENSO?
Arctic air frequently surges into the Pacific Northwest through this major valley extending from British Columbia.
What is the Fraser River Valley?
Lightning and snow combine in this rare but dramatic wintertime phenomenon.
What is thundersnow?
A rapidly deepening surface low is undergoing this key cyclonic development process.
What is cyclogenesis?
Cloud-top temperatures are estimated using this satellite wavelength band.
What is infrared?
Washington’s most dramatic year-to-year temperature swings occurred during this memorable year.
What is 2021?
Strong pressure gradients created by this frigid source region help drive Fraser outflow events.
What is Arctic high pressure?
This intense, localized downdraft can produce destructive straight-line winds beneath a thunderstorm.
What is a microburst?
Energy contrasts between warm and cold air masses lead to this type of instability that drives mid-latitude storms.
What is baroclinic instability?
NOAA is replacing the NAM with this new high-resolution modeling system.
What is the RRFS?
After the hyperactive 2005 season, this more recent hurricane season recorded the most accumulated cyclone energy.
What is the 2017 hurricane season?
Within atmospheric rivers, this narrow convective feature can generate sudden destructive wind gusts.
What is an NCFR?
Precipitation that evaporates before reaching the ground produces this visually striking effect.
What is virga?
A mid-latitude cyclone becomes a “bomb cyclone” when it deepens by this many millibars in 24 hours.
What is 24 mb?
In dual-polarization radar, this variable reveals the shape and orientation of hydrometeors.
What is ZDR?
Under the Paris Agreement, nations aim to limit global warming to this key temperature threshold above pre-industrial levels.
What is 1.5°C?
This secondary surface low forms along the trailing cold front of a mature cyclone.
What is a shoot-off low or late-breaking wave?
This heat index blends both air temperature and this other key atmospheric variable.
What are temperature and humidity?
This major atmospheric cell features rising air near the equator and sinking air near 30° latitude.
What is the Hadley Cell?
Models capable of fully resolving strong vertical acceleration, rather than assuming near-vertical balance, are described using this term.
What is a non-hydrostatic model?
Of all hurricane name letters, this one has been retired the most often due to destructive storms.
What is I?
A 1000–500 mb thickness near this value often favors lowland snow in Seattle.
What is 526 dm?
These powerful warm downslope winds can roar across the Rockies at speeds over 100 mph.
What are Chinook winds?