Science / Weather Glossary

Electromagnetic Spectrum: The band of electromagnetic radiation with components that are separated into their relative wave lengths. The portion of the spectrum that the human eye can detect is called visible light, . . . View Full Definition

Elevation: The measure of height with respect to a point on the earth's surface above mean sea level. Sometimes referred to as station elevation.

Environment: The sum total of all the external conditions that effect an organism, community, material, or energy.

Equator: The geographic circle at 0 degrees latitude on the earth's surface. It is equal distance from the North and South Poles and divides the Northern Hemisphere from the Southern.

Equatorial Trough: The quasi-continuous area of low pressure between the subtropical high pressure areas in both the Northern and Southern Hemisphere.

Equinox: The point at which the ecliptic intersects the celestial equator. Days and nights are most nearly equal in duration. In the Northern Hemisphere, the vernal equinox falls on or about March 20 . . . View Full Definition

Erosion: The movement of soil or rock from one area to another by the action of the sea, running water, moving ice, precipitation, or wind.

Evaporation: The physical process by which a liquid, such as water is transformed into a gaseous state, such as water vapor. It is the opposite physical process of condensation.

Evapotranspiration: The total amount of water that is transferred from the earth's surface to the atmosphere. It is made up of the evaporation of liquid or solid water plus the transpiration from plants.

Exosphere: This region is considered the very outer limits of the earth's atmosphere. Its lower boundary is often called the critical level of escape, where gas atoms are so widely spaced that they rar . . . View Full Definition

Extratropical Cyclone: Any cyclone that is no longer tropical in origin. Generally considered to be a migratory frontal cyclone found in the middle and high latitudes.

Eye: The center of a tropical storm or hurricane, characterized by a roughly circular area of light winds and rain-free skies. An eye will usually develop when the maximum sustained wind speeds e . . . View Full Definition

Eye Wall: An organized band of convection surrounding the eye, or center, of a tropical cyclone. It contains cumulonimbus clouds, intense rainfall and very strong winds.

Fahrenheit Temperature Scale: A temperature scale where water at sea level has a freezing point of +32°F and a boiling point of +212°F. More commonly used in areas that observe the English system of measurement. Created . . . View Full Definition

Fair: This is a subjective description. Considered as pleasant weather conditions with regard to the time of year and the physical location.

Fathom: The common unit of depth in the ocean for countries using the English system of measurement. It is six feet or 1.83 meters. It can also be used in expressing horizontal distance, since 120 f . . . View Full Definition

Feeder Bands: In tropical parlance, the lines or bands of thunderstorms that spiral into and around the center of a tropical system. Also known as outer convective bands, a typical hurricane may have thre . . . View Full Definition

Fetch: An area of the water surface over which waves are generated by a wind having a constant direction and speed. Also, it is the name given to the length of the fetch area, measured in the direc . . . View Full Definition

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