Meteorology or Weather Terms +

The rate at which temperatures decrease with height.

The next layer where the temperature rises again which is located between about 55 to 435 miles (85 to 700 kilometers) above the earth's surface.

A snowburst that also includes thunder and lightning.

The lower part of the atmosphere where living organisms spend most of their time and where weather takes place.

The troposphere averages about 7 miles (11 kilometers) in height. It is about 5 miles (8 kilometers) thick at the poles and about 10 miles (16 kilometers) thick at the equator.

A narrow, elongated area of low atmospheric pressure that usually runs north to south.

Particles of water that fall from clouds but evaporate before reaching the ground.

Warm air systems; usually, from the temperate regions, that press into colder air masses.

Short-term changes in temperature, humidity, rainfall, and barometric pressure in the atmosphere.

It is usually in reference to local atmospheric changes or conditions.

The Process by which exposed rocks are broken down on the spot by the action of rain, frost, wind, and other elements of the weather.

It differs from erosion in that no movement or transportation of the broken-down material takes place. It differs from erosion in that no movement or transportation of the broken-down material takes place.

Two types of weathering are recognized: physical (or mechanical) and chemical. They usually occur together and are defined in greater detail in this meteorological listing.

The movement of air with respect to the earth's surface, caused locally by the sun's heating of the ground; and globally, by the sun's radiation and the spin of the earth.