SKIP TO CONTENT

Weather the Storm!

An itemization of words related to meteorology.

Others: cirriform, downburst, heat index, graupel, lake effect, land breeze, landspout, macroburst, mesophere, microburst, nimbostratus, nowcast, snow squall, storm surge, supercell, Tornado Alley, tropical storm, upwelling, water cycle, wind chill, wind shear
363 words 40 learners

Learn words with Flashcards and other activities

Full list of words from this list:

  1. accumulation
    a gain or increase in something over time
  2. acid rain
    precipitation with toxic gas emissions combined with water
  3. active
    characterized by energetic movement
  4. advisory
    an announcement that usually warns the public of some threat
  5. afterglow
    a soft, rosy light sometimes seen in the sky after sunset
  6. aftershock
    a tremor following the main tremor of an earthquake
  7. air
    a mixture of gases required for breathing
  8. air mass
    a large body of air with uniform characteristics horizontally
  9. air pollution
    pollution of the atmosphere
  10. air pressure
    the pressure exerted by the atmosphere
  11. airstream
    a relatively well-defined prevailing wind
  12. albedo
    the ratio of reflected to incident light
  13. almanac
    an annual publication arranged according to the calendar
  14. altimeter
    an instrument that measures the height above ground
  15. altitude
    elevation above sea level or above the earth's surface
  16. altocumulus
    a cumulus cloud at an intermediate altitude of 2 or 3 miles
  17. altostratus
    a stratus cloud at an intermediate altitude of 2 or 3 miles
  18. anemometer
    a gauge for recording the speed and direction of wind
  19. anomaly
    deviation from the normal or common order, form, or rule
  20. Antarctic
    the region around the south pole: Antarctica and surrounding waters
  21. anticyclone
    winds spiraling outward from a high pressure center
  22. antitrade
    winds blowing from west to east and lying above the trade winds in the tropics
  23. apogee
    the farthest point in an orbit around the Earth
  24. arctic
    extremely cold
  25. arid
    lacking sufficient water or rainfall
  26. atmosphere
    the envelope of gases surrounding any celestial body
  27. atmospheric pressure
    the pressure exerted by the atmosphere
  28. aurora
    bands of light caused by charged solar particles
  29. aurora australis
    the aurora of the southern hemisphere
  30. aurora borealis
    the aurora of the northern hemisphere
  31. autumn
    the season when the leaves fall from the trees
  32. autumnal
    of or characteristic of or occurring in the fall
  33. avalanche
    a slide of large masses of snow, ice and mud down a mountain
  34. balmy
    mild and pleasant
  35. barometer
    an instrument that measures atmospheric pressure
  36. billow
    a large sea wave
  37. biosphere
    the regions of the Earth where living organisms exist
  38. black ice
    a thin coating of ice on a road or sidewalk
  39. blast
    a sudden, loud sound
  40. bleak
    unpleasantly cold and damp
  41. blistering
    extremely hot
  42. blistery
    covered with small blisters
  43. blizzard
    a weather event with widespread snowfall and strong winds
  44. blow
    be in motion due to some air or water current
  45. bluster
    be gusty, as of wind
  46. boiling point
    the temperature at which a liquid boils at sea level
  47. breeze
    a slight and usually refreshing wind
  48. calm
    not agitated; without losing self-possession
  49. ceiling
    the overhead upper surface of a covered space
  50. chance
    an unknown and unpredictable phenomenon
  51. chill
    coldness due to a cold environment
  52. chilly
    appreciably or disagreeably cold
  53. chinook
    large Pacific salmon valued as food
  54. choppy
    rough with small waves
  55. cirrus
    a wispy white cloud at a high altitude
  56. clear
    readily apparent to the mind
  57. climate
    the weather in some location averaged over a period of time
  58. climatology
    meteorology of climates and their phenomena
  59. cloud
    a visible mass of water or ice particles suspended at a considerable altitude
  60. cloud bank
    a layer of clouds seen from a distance
  61. cloudburst
    a heavy rain
  62. cloudy
    full of or covered with clouds
  63. coastal
    of or relating to the shoreline
  64. cold
    having a low or inadequate temperature
  65. cold front
    the front of an advancing mass of colder air
  66. cold snap
    a spell of cold weather
  67. cold wave
    a wave of unusually cold weather
  68. compass
    navigational instrument for finding directions
  69. condensation
    process of changing from a gas to a liquid or solid state
  70. conditions
    the context that influences the performance of a process
  71. conduction
    the transmission of heat or electricity or sound
  72. contrail
    an artificial cloud created by an aircraft
  73. convection
    transfer of heat caused by molecular motion in liquid or gas
  74. cool
    neither warm nor very cold; giving relief from heat
  75. corona
    one or more circles of light seen around a luminous object
  76. crosswind
    wind blowing across the path of a ship or aircraft
  77. cumulonimbus
    a dark cloud of great vertical extent charged with electricity; associated with thunderstorms
  78. cumulus
    a globular cloud
  79. current
    occurring in or belonging to the present time
  80. cyclone
    an atmospheric system in which air circulates rapidly
  81. dark
    devoid of or deficient in light or brightness
  82. day
    time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
  83. daybreak
    the first light of day
  84. daylight
    the time after sunrise and before sunset while it is light outside
  85. daytime
    the time after sunrise and before sunset while it is light outside
  86. degree
    a specific identifiable position in a continuum or series
  87. deluge
    a heavy rain
  88. depression
    a sunken or lowered geological formation
  89. dew
    water that has condensed on a cool surface overnight
  90. dew point
    the temperature at which the water vapor in the air becomes saturated and condensation begins
  91. diamond dust
    small crystals of ice
  92. disturbance
    activity that is a malfunction, intrusion, or interruption
  93. diurnal
    having a daily cycle or occurring every day
  94. doldrums
    a state of inactivity
  95. downdraft
    a strong downward air current
  96. downpour
    a heavy rain
  97. downstream
    in the direction of a stream's current
  98. downwind
    towards the side away from the wind
  99. draft
    a current of air
  100. draught
    a serving of drink (usually alcoholic) drawn from a keg
  101. drift
    be in motion due to some air or water current
  102. drizzle
    very light rain
  103. drought
    a shortage of rainfall
  104. dry
    free from liquid or moisture
  105. dust devil
    a miniature whirlwind strong enough to whip dust and leaves and litter into the air
  106. dust storm
    a windstorm that lifts up clouds of dust or sand
  107. earthquake
    vibration from underground movement along a fault plane
  108. easterly
    lying in or toward the east
  109. eclipse
    the phenomenon when one celestial body obscures another
  110. eddy
    a miniature whirlpool or whirlwind
  111. elements
    violent or severe weather
  112. El Nino
    a warm ocean current in the Pacific that sets off a chain of weather events
  113. epicenter
    a point on the Earth's surface directly above an earthquake
  114. equinox
    when the sun crosses the plane of the earth's equator
  115. estival
    of or occurring in summer
  116. evaporation
    the process of becoming a suspension of particles in the air
  117. extended
    fully stretched forth
  118. eye
    the organ of sight
  119. fair
    free from favoritism, bias, or deception
  120. fall
    descend freely under the influence of gravity
  121. fervid
    characterized by intense emotion
  122. fiery
    like or suggestive of a flame
  123. firestorm
    a storm in which violent winds are drawn into the column of hot air rising over a severely bombed area
  124. flash flood
    a sudden and great flow of water in a short period of time
  125. flood
    the rising of a body of water and its overflowing onto land
  126. flurry
    a light brief snowfall
  127. fog
    droplets of water vapor suspended in the air near the ground
  128. fogbank
    a large mass of fog on the sea (as seen from a distance)
  129. forecast
    a prediction about how something will develop
  130. freeze
    change from a liquid to a solid when cold
  131. freezing
    the withdrawal of heat to change something from a liquid to a solid
  132. freezing point
    the temperature below which a liquid turns into a solid
  133. frigid
    extremely cold
  134. front
    the side that is forward or prominent
  135. frost
    ice crystals forming a white deposit
  136. frosty
    covered with a thin layer of ice
  137. frozen
    turned into ice
  138. fume
    a cloud of fine particles suspended in a gas
  139. funnel
    a conically shaped utensil with a narrow tube at one end
  140. gale
    a strong wind moving 34–40 knots
  141. gauge
    an instrument for measuring and indicating a quantity
  142. gentle
    soft and mild; not harsh or stern or severe
  143. geosphere
    the solid part of the Earth
  144. glaze
    a coating, as for ceramics or metal
  145. global warming
    a rise in the average temperature of the earth's atmosphere
  146. greenhouse effect
    warming due to solar radiation trapped by the atmosphere
  147. gust
    a strong current of air
  148. gust
    a strong current of air
  149. hail
    precipitation of ice pellets
  150. hailstorm
    a storm during which hail falls
  151. halo
    a circle of light around the sun or moon
  152. haze
    dust or smoke in the air that causes reduced visibility
  153. headwind
    wind blowing opposite to the path of a ship or aircraft
  154. heat
    a form of energy transferred by a difference in temperature
  155. heat lightning
    bright flashes of light near the horizon without thunder
  156. heat wave
    a period of unusually hot weather
  157. hibernal
    characteristic of or relating to winter
  158. high
    being at or having a relatively great or specific elevation
  159. high-pressure
    aggressively and persistently persuasive
  160. hoarfrost
    ice crystals forming a white deposit
  161. horse latitude
    either of two belts or regions near 30 degrees north or 30 degrees south; characterized by calms and light-baffling winds
  162. hot
    having a high or higher than desirable temperature
  163. humid
    containing or characterized by a great deal of water vapor
  164. humidity
    wetness in the atmosphere
  165. hurricane
    a severe tropical cyclone usually with heavy rains and winds
  166. hydrosphere
    the watery layer of the earth's surface
  167. ice
    water frozen in the solid state
  168. ice age
    a period when glaciers cover much of the Earth's surface
  169. iceberg
    a large frozen mass floating at sea
  170. ice crystal
    small crystals of ice
  171. ice fog
    a dense winter fog containing ice particles
  172. icicle
    ice resembling a pendent spear formed by dripping water
  173. icy
    covered with or containing or consisting of ice
  174. inclement
    severe, of weather
  175. iridescence
    the visual property of having lustrous, varying colors
  176. isobar
    (meteorology)an isogram connecting points having equal barometric pressure at a given time
  177. isotherm
    (meteorology) an isogram connecting points having the same temperature at a given time
  178. jet
    a hard black form of lignite that takes a brilliant polish
  179. jet stream
    a high-speed air current blowing constantly high above the earth
  180. knot
    a fastening formed by looping and tying a cord or rope
  181. laminar
    arranged in or consisting of laminae
  182. landfall
    the seacoast first sighted on a voyage
  183. layer
    a single thickness of some substance or material
  184. leeward
    on the side away from the wind
  185. light
    electromagnetic radiation that can produce visual sensation
  186. lightning
    flash of light from an electric discharge in the atmosphere
  187. likely
    having a good chance of being the case or of coming about
  188. low
    less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
  189. low-pressure
    not forceful
  190. maritime
    relating to ships or navigation
  191. melting point
    the temperature at which a solid turns into a liquid
  192. meteorologist
    a specialist who studies weather conditions
  193. meteorology
    the earth science dealing with phenomena of the atmosphere
  194. meteor shower
    a transient shower of meteors when a meteor swarm enters the earth's atmosphere
  195. midnight sun
    the sun visible at midnight
  196. millibar
    a unit of atmospheric pressure equal to one thousandth of a bar
  197. mist
    a thin fog with condensation near the ground
  198. misty
    filled or abounding with fog
  199. mizzle
    very light rain; stronger than mist but less than a shower
  200. moisture
    wetness caused by water
  201. monitor
    someone who observes to ensure fairness or prevent mistakes
  202. monsoon
    a seasonal wind in southern Asia
  203. moonlight
    the light of the Moon
  204. muggy
    hot or warm and humid
  205. nebule
    a small cloud
  206. nigh
    near in time or place or relationship
  207. night
    the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
  208. nimbus
    a dark grey cloud bearing rain
  209. nocturnal
    belonging to or active during the night
  210. normal
    being approximately average or within certain limits
  211. northerly
    situated in or oriented toward the north
  212. nucleus
    a part of the cell responsible for growth and reproduction
  213. occluded front
    (meteorology) a composite front when colder air surrounds a mass of warm air and forces it aloft
  214. orography
    the science of mountains
  215. outflow
    the process of flowing out
  216. outlook
    an attitude that determines how you respond to situations
  217. overcast
    filled or abounding with clouds
  218. ozone
    a colorless gas that is a screen for ultraviolet radiation
  219. parhelion
    a bright spot on the parhelic circle
  220. partly
    in part; in some degree; not wholly
  221. pellet
    a small sphere
  222. pelt
    the dressed hairy coat of a mammal
  223. percent
    a proportion in relation to a whole
  224. perigee
    the nearest point in an orbit around the Earth
  225. permafrost
    ground that is permanently frozen
  226. placid
    calm and free from disturbance
  227. pocket
    a small pouch inside a garment for carrying small articles
  228. polar
    of or existing within the Arctic or Antarctic Circles
  229. pollutant
    waste matter that contaminates the water, air, or soil
  230. pour
    cause to run
  231. precipitation
    the falling to earth of any form of water
  232. pressure
    the act of putting pressure on something
  233. prevailing wind
    the predominant wind direction
  234. radar
    measuring instrument using pulses of microwave radiation
  235. radiation
    the act of spreading outward from a central source
  236. raging
    very severe
  237. rain
    water falling in drops from vapor in the atmosphere
  238. rainbow
    an arc of colored light in the sky caused by refraction of the sun's rays by rain
  239. rainfall
    water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere
  240. rain shadow
    an area that has little precipitation because some barrier causes the winds to lose their moisture before reaching it
  241. rainstorm
    a storm with rain
  242. refraction
    the change in direction of a propagating wave
  243. ridge
    a long narrow natural elevation or striation
  244. rime
    ice crystals that form a white deposit
  245. riptide
    a stretch of turbulent water in a river or the sea caused by one current flowing into or across another current
  246. risk
    a source of danger
  247. runoff
    an election to resolve a vote that did not produce a winner
  248. sandstorm
    a windstorm that lifts up clouds of dust or sand
  249. saturation
    the process of totally infusing something with a substance
  250. scattered
    lacking orderly continuity
  251. scorch
    burn slightly and superficially so as to affect color
  252. sea breeze
    a cooling breeze from the sea (during the daytime)
  253. sea level
    level of the ocean's surface
  254. serene
    not agitated
  255. severe
    very harsh or strict, especially when dealing with others
  256. shear
    cut or cut through with scissors
  257. shivery
    cold enough to cause body trembles
  258. shock wave
    a region of high pressure travelling through a gas at a high velocity
  259. shower
    a brief period of precipitation
  260. sirocco
    a hot, dry wind from North Africa that blows into southern Europe
  261. sizzle
    make a sound like frying fat
  262. sky
    the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
  263. sleet
    precipitation consisting of a mixture of rain and snow
  264. slush
    partially melted snow
  265. smog
    air pollution by a mixture of smoke and fog
  266. smoke
    a cloud of fine particles suspended in a gas
  267. snow
    water falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals
  268. snowfall
    water falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals
  269. snowflake
    a crystal of snow
  270. snowstorm
    a weather event with widespread snowfall and strong winds
  271. solar flare
    a sudden eruption of intense high-energy radiation from the sun's surface; associated with sunspots and radio interference
  272. solstice
    when the sun is at its greatest distance from the equator
  273. sounder
    a device for making soundings
  274. southerly
    situated in or oriented toward the south
  275. spring
    move forward by leaps and bounds
  276. sprinkle
    scatter with liquid; wet lightly
  277. squall
    a loud and harsh cry
  278. St. Elmo's fire
    an electrical discharge accompanied by ionization of surrounding atmosphere
  279. stability
    the quality or attribute of being firm and steadfast
  280. stationary
    not capable of being moved
  281. steam
    water at boiling temperature diffused in the atmosphere
  282. storm
    a violent weather condition with winds 64-72 knots (11 on the Beaufort scale) and precipitation and thunder and lightning
  283. stormy
    affected or characterized by violent weather or commotion
  284. stranded
    cut off or left behind
  285. stratosphere
    atmospheric layer between the troposphere and the mesosphere
  286. stratus
    a large dark low cloud
  287. sublimation
    a change directly from the solid to the gaseous state
  288. subtropical
    of or relating to or characteristic of conditions in the subtropics
  289. sultry
    attractive and suggesting hidden passion
  290. summer
    the warmest season of the year
  291. sunburst
    a sudden emergence of the sun from behind clouds
  292. sunlight
    the rays of the sun
  293. sunrise
    the daily event of the sun rising above the horizon
  294. sunset
    the time in the evening at which the sun begins to fall below the horizon
  295. sunshine
    the rays of the sun
  296. surface
    the outer boundary of an artifact or a material layer
  297. surge
    rise and move, as in waves or billows
  298. swell
    increase in size, magnitude, number, or intensity
  299. sweltering
    excessively hot and humid; marked by sweating and faintness
  300. tailwind
    an air current blowing in the same direction as the path of a ship or aircraft
  301. temperament
    your usual mood
  302. temperate
    not extreme
  303. temperature
    the degree of hotness or coldness of a body or environment
  304. tempest
    a violent commotion or disturbance
  305. tempestuous
    characterized by violent emotions or behavior
  306. thermal
    relating to or associated with heat
  307. thermometer
    measuring instrument for measuring temperature
  308. thunder
    a booming or crashing noise along the path of lightning
  309. thundercloud
    a dark cloud of great vertical extent charged with electricity; associated with thunderstorms
  310. thunderhead
    a rounded projecting mass of a cumulus cloud with shining edges; often appears before a thunderstorm
  311. thunderstorm
    a storm resulting from strong rising air currents
  312. tornado
    a violently destructive windstorm occurring over land
  313. torrent
    an overwhelming number or amount
  314. torrential
    relating to or resulting from the action of a downpour
  315. torrid
    characterized by intense emotion
  316. trade wind
    steady winds blowing from east to west above and below the equator
  317. tranquil
    free from disturbance by heavy waves
  318. transpiration
    the emission of water vapor from the leaves of plants
  319. tremor
    an involuntary vibration, as if from illness or fear
  320. tropical
    relating to part of the Earth's surface with hot climate
  321. tropics
    the part of the Earth's surface between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn; characterized by a hot climate
  322. troposphere
    the lowest atmospheric layer; from 4 to 11 miles high
  323. trough
    a long narrow shallow receptacle
  324. tsunami
    a cataclysm resulting from a destructive sea wave
  325. turbulence
    instability in the atmosphere
  326. twilight
    the time of day immediately following sunset
  327. twister
    a localized and violently destructive windstorm occurring over land characterized by a funnel-shaped cloud extending toward the ground
  328. typhoon
    a tropical cyclone in the western Pacific or Indian oceans
  329. unstable
    subject to change; variable
  330. updraft
    a strong upward air current
  331. upstream
    toward the source or against the current
  332. upwind
    toward the wind
  333. vane
    the flattened weblike part of a feather
  334. vapor
    a visible suspension in the air of particles of a substance
  335. vernal
    suggestive of youth; vigorous and fresh
  336. vicinity
    a surrounding or nearby region
  337. violent
    acting with great force or energy or emotional intensity
  338. virga
    light wispy precipitation that evaporates before it reaches the ground (especially when the lower air is low in humidity)
  339. visibility
    quality or degree of being able to be seen
  340. vortex
    a powerful circular current of water
  341. warm
    having or producing a comfortable and agreeable degree of heat or imparting or maintaining heat
  342. warm front
    the front of an advancing mass of warmer air
  343. warning
    a message informing of danger
  344. watch
    look attentively
  345. water
    compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear liquid
  346. waterspout
    a tornado passing over water and picking up a column of water and mist
  347. wave
    (physics) a movement up and down or back and forth
  348. weather
    atmospheric conditions such as temperature and precipitation
  349. weather
    atmospheric conditions such as temperature and precipitation
  350. weathervane
    mechanical device attached to an elevated structure
  351. wedge
    something solid that can be pushed between two things
  352. wet
    wetness caused by water
  353. whirlpool
    a powerful circular current of water
  354. whirlwind
    a column of air spinning around itself
  355. whiteout
    a weather condition where snow makes it hard to see
  356. wind
    air moving from high pressure to low pressure
  357. windsock
    a truncated cloth cone mounted on a mast
  358. windstorm
    a storm consisting of violent winds
  359. windward
    the direction from which the wind is coming
  360. windy
    abounding in or exposed to the wind or breezes
  361. winter
    the coldest season of the year
  362. wintry
    characteristic of or occurring in the coldest season
  363. zephyr
    a slight wind
Created on Thu Apr 04 17:46:36 EDT 2013 (updated Sun May 05 14:12:51 EDT 2013)

Sign up now (it’s free!)

Whether you’re a teacher or a learner, Vocabulary.com can put you or your class on the path to systematic vocabulary improvement.