Basic Meteorological Terms, Concepts, and Phenomena

Taking in North Las Vegas at sunset

Credit: Clyde Swaim



Atmosphere: The mass of air surrounding the Earth and bound to it more or less permanently by the Earth's gravitational attraction.

Atmospheric Pressure (also called air pressure or barometric pressure): The pressure asserted by the mass of the column of air directly above any specific point. 

Aurora Borealis (also known as the northern lights): The luminous, radiant emission from the upper atmosphere over middle and high latitudes, and centered around the Earth's magnetic poles. These silent fireworks are often seen on clear winter nights in a variety of shapes and colors.

Barometer: A device for measuring atmospheric pressure.Blizzard of 1949

Blizzard: Includes winter storm conditions of sustained winds or frequent gusts of 35 mph or more that cause major blowing or drifting of snow, reducing visibility to less than one-quarter mile for 3 or more hours OR a typical Tuesday in New England during the wintertime.

Circulation: The pattern of the movement of air. General circulation is the flow of air of large, semi-permanent weather systems, while secondary circulation is the flow of air of more temporary weather systems.





Flurries: Light snow falling for short durations. No accumulation or just a light dusting is all that is expected.


Humidity: The amount of water vapor in the atmosphere.

Indian Summer: An unseasonably warm period near the middle of autumn, usually following a substantial period of cool weather. Learn more about Indian Summers here.




Wind: Air in motion relative to the surface of the earth.

If you have questions about any other meteorological terms, please post below!

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Dear Professor, Please

By Kamruzzaman Khan

Dear Professor,

Please provide me a text book on meteorology.

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