Absolutely Stable AirAn atmospheric condition that exists when the environmental lapse rate is less than the moist adiabatic lapse rate.
Absolutely Unstable AirAn atmospheric condition that exists when the environmental lapse rate is greater than the dry adiabatic lapse rate.AirThe mixture of gases comprising the earth's atmosphere.Air MassA body of air covering a relatively wide area and exhibiting horizontally uniform properties.Air Mass ThunderstormGenerally, a thunderstorm not associated with a front or other type of synoptic-scale forcing mechanism. Air mass thunderstorms typically are associated with warm, humid air in the summer months; they develop during the afternoon in response to insolation, and dissipate rather quickly after sunset. They generally are less likely to be severe than other types of thunderstorms, but they still are capable of producing downbursts, brief heavy rain, and (in extreme cases) hail over 3/4 inch in diameter.
Since all thunderstorms are associated with some type of forcing mechanism, synoptic-scale or otherwise, the existence of true air-mass thunderstorms is debatable.Air PollutantHarmful substance or product introduced into the atmosphere.Air Pollution PotentialThe meteorological potential for air pollution problems, considered without regard to the presence or absence of actual pollution sources.Air Quality ModelMathematical or conceptual model used to estimate present or future air quality.Air StagnationA meteorological situation in which there is a major buildup of air pollution in the atmosphere. This usually occurs when the same air mass is parked over the same area for several days. During this time, the light winds cannot "cleanse" the buildup of smoke, dust, gases, and other industrial air pollution.Air Stagnation AdvisoryThis National Weather Service product is issued when major buildups of air pollution, smoke, dust, or industrial gases are expected near the ground for a period of time. This usually results from a stagnant high pressure system with weak winds being unable to bring in fresh air. Air ToxinToxic air pollutant.Air Transportable Mobile UnitA modularized transportable unit containing communications and observational equipment necessary to support a meteorologist preparing on-site forecasts at a wildfire or other incident.Airborne Snow Survey ProgramIn hydrologic terms, Center (NOHRSC) program that makes airborne snow water equivalent and soil moisture measurements over large areas of the country that are subject to severe and chronic snowmelt flooding.AIRMETAirman's Meteorological advisory (WA)Clear Air Turbulence(CAT) - In aviation, sudden severe turbulence occurring in cloudless regions that causes violent buffeting of aircraft.Cold Air AvalancheDownslope flow pulsations that occur at more or less regular intervals as cold air builds up on a peak or plateau, reaches a critical mass, and then cascades down the slopes.Cold Air DamA shallow cold air mass which is carried up the slope of a mountain barrier, but with insufficient strength to surmount the barrier. The cold air, trapped upwind of the barrier alters the effective terrain configuration of the barrier to larger-scale approaching flows.Cold Air Damming (CAD)The phenomenon in which a low-level cold air mass is trapped topographically. Often, this cold air is entrenched on the east side of mountainous terrain. Cold Air Damming often implies that the trapped cold air mass is influencing the dynamics of the overlying air mass, e.g. in an overrunning scenario.
Effects on the weather may include cold temperatures, freezing precipitation, and extensive cloud coverCold Air FunnelA funnel cloud or (rarely) a small, relatively weak tornado that can develop from a small shower or thunderstorm when the air aloft is unusually cold (hence the name). They are much less violent than other types of tornadoes.Conditionally Unstable AirAn atmospheric condition that exists when the environmental lapse rate is less than the dry adiabatic lapse rate but greater than the moist adiabatic lapse rate.Continental Air MassA dry air mass originating over a large land area. Contrast with tropical air mass.FairIt is usually used at night to describe less than 3/8 opaque clouds, no precipitation, no extremes of visibility, temperature or winds. It describes generally pleasant weather
conditions.Maritime Air MassAn air mass influenced by the sea. It is a secondary characteristic of an air mass classification, signified by the small "m" before the primary characteristic, which is based on source region. For example, mP is an air mass that is maritime polar in nature. Also known as a marine air mass. Maritime Polar Air MassAn air mass characterized by cold, moist air. Abbreviated mP.Maritime Tropical Air MassAn air mass characterized by warm, moist air. Abbreviated mT.National Ambient Air Quality StandardsIn the United States, national standards for the ambient concentrations in air of different air pollutants designed to protect human health and welfare.Primary Ambient Air Quality StandardsAir quality standards designed to protect human health.Pulse-Pair ProcessingNickname for the technique of mean velocity estimation by calculation of the signal complex covariance argument. The calculation requires two consecutive pulses, hence "pulse-pair".Secondary Ambient Air Quality StandardsAir quality standards designed to protect human welfare, including the effects on vegetation and fauna, visibility and structures.Stair SteppingIn hydrologic terms, the process of continually updating river forecasts for the purpose of incorporating the effects rain that has fallen since the previous
forecast was prepared.Unstable AirAir that is able to rise easily, and has the potential to produce clouds, rain, and thunderstorms.Upper-air Weather ChartWeather maps that are produced for the portion of the atmosphere above the lower troposphere, generally at and above 850 mb. Isolines on these maps usually represent the heights of a constant pressure surface, such as the 500 mb surface.
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