A fluctuation in an atmospheric element (e.g. air temperature) over the course of a day, obtained by averaging observations over a sufficient length of time to remove all non-periodic variations.

Daily elements, such as temperature, rain and wind that can change hour by hour, or day by day.

An upgrade from Tropical Depression that occurs when cyclonic circulation becomes more organized and maximum sustained winds gust consistently at or above 62 km/h, and no higher than 117 km/h. Tropical storm status is when the naming of the storm takes place.

An area of low pressure, characterized by closed isobars (approximately), accompanied by cyclonic circulation with winds that spiral in towards the center, leading to convergence. Tropical depression forms when a low pressure area is accompanied by thunderstorms that produce a circular wind flow with maximum sustained winds below 62 km/h. Most tropical depressions have maximum sustained winds between 40 and 56 km/h.

An upgrade from Tropical Storm that occurs when maximum sustained winds increase above 117 km/h. Tropical cyclone is defined as a non-frontal, synoptic-scale cyclone developing over tropical and sub-tropical waters at any level and having a definitely organised circulation. In other parts of the world, these are referred to as hurricanes, typhoons or simply tropical cyclones depending on the region.

1. A localised storm originating in a cumulonimbus cloud, with heavy downpours (sometimes with hail), gusty winds, lightning, and the associated thunder. It is not necessary for any rain to occur 2. In general, a local storm, invariably produced by a cumulonimbus cloud and always accompanied by lightning and thunder, usually with strong gusts of wind, heavy rain, and sometimes with hail.

Implies precipitation that is characterised by its sudden onset, short duration and sometimes rapid change in intensity – usually use the term “thundershowers” when the showers may be accompanied by only a few rumbles or thunder.

An abrupt increase in pressure in an area, greater than any change that may be linked to a nearby anticyclone or depression. Such an increase may be produced by a *squall line or *mesoscale storm system.

1. In meteorology, liquid or solid precipitation from convective clouds (cumulonimbus or cumulus congestus) as distinct from stratiform (layer) clouds (nimbostratus, stratus). 2. Usually begin and end suddenly. Relatively short-lived, but may last about half an hour. Often, but not always, separated by blue sky.

Precipitation of liquid water drops greater than 0.5 mm in diameter. In contrast to showers, it is steadier and normally falls from stratiform (layer) cloud.

Solid precipitation in the form of balls or pellets of ice, generally taken to be 5mm in diameter or larger. (Smaller particles are known as “small hail” or “ice pellets”).

Liquid precipitation in the form of tiny water droplets, generally arising from stratus cloud.

The transport and mixing of heat and other properties of fluid through mass motion. It is one of the primary means of the global energy transfer. In meteorology, convection is of great significance in producing circulation and cloud formation.

A region of relatively low pressure area with winds spiraling inwards. Cyclones rotate clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere and anti-clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere. Cyclone is the general term for a variety of low pressure system types, such as tropical depressions and typhoons.

1. SUNNY: Only less than 30% cloud coverage, or mostly high-level clouds.
2. PARTLY SUNNY: Between 3/8 and 5/8 of the sky is covered by clouds; term is only used during daylight hours.
3. PARTLY CLOUDY: a) Between 3/8 and 5/8 of the sky is covered by clouds. b) If used during daylight hours, Partly Cloudy suggests slightly more cloud cover than Partly Sunny.
4. CLOUDY: When 7/8 or more of the sky is covered by clouds.
5. OVERCAST: Sky completely covered with cloud.

1. Brief/Few: Short duration.
2. Intermittent: Precipitation that ceases at times.
3. Occasional: Precipitation that while not frequent, is recurrent.
4. Frequent: Showers occurring regularly and often.
5. Continuous: Precipitation that does not cease, or ceases only briefly.
6. Periods of Rain: Rain is expected to fall most of the time, but there will be breaks.

Precipitation occurring extensively throughout an area, of >50% cloud coverage.

a) Refers to the range of 30% to 50% coverage. So, even with "scattered" showers, half or less of the neighborhoods are expected to "get wet."

b) Irregularly distributed over an area. Showers that, while not widespread, can occur anywhere in an area. Implies a slightly greater incidence than isolated.

Precipitation occurring irregularly over an area.

a) Refers to range between 10% to 20% coverage. In other words, when the forecast calls for "isolated" showers, only 10% to 20% of the forecast area will receive measurable rainfall within the forecast period -most neighborhoods stay dry.

b) Showers that are well separated in space during a given period.

A sudden, short-lived increase in the wind speed relative to average speed at the time, and much shorter than a squall (*see definition). World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) standard defines a gust as the maximum wind speed exceeding the "mean speed" by 5 m/s (10 knots) during the 10-minute interval.

Synoptic scale (also know as large-scale weather system) in meteorology refers to weather system of the order of 1000 kilometers or more, e.g. tropical cyclones.

A synoptic chart that covers a specific geographical area and presents conditions at the surface.

A region of relatively high atmospheric pressure, also known as a ‘high’.

An abrupt, sharp increase in wind speed that lasts for some minutes and then dies away.

A measure of the state of the Southern Oscillation. It is defined as the sea-level pressure at Tahiti in central Southern Pacific Ocean, minus that at Darwin in northern Australia.

In meteorology, it is generally taken to be the force exerted by the (hypothetical) column of air extending from the surface to the outer limit of the atmosphere and subject to the Earth’s gravitational attraction.

(from Greek “mesos” meaning middle): A prefix commonly used in meteorology to indicate that a phenomenon is intermediate in size, generally range from 5km to several kilometers. Examples of mesoscale weather system are sea breezes and squall lines.

The study of climate in all its aspects and of the phenomena associated with it.

The description of the variability of weather conditions prevailing in a particular region or latitude zone over a specific period of time (usually 30 years), as derived from statistical information about various meteorological elements.

Water in either liquid or solid form that is derived from the atmosphere and falls to the earth's surface.

The study and science of all aspects of the atmosphere, and thus including both weather and climate. It aims to understand the physical and chemical nature of the atmosphere, its dynamical behavior, and its complex interactions with the surface. It also includes both short- and long-term weather forecasting and the determination of past and future climate change.

Sky completely covered with clouds.