Storm-relative velocity - A radar view which allows a meteorologist to view wind speeds within a thunderstorm. The term storm-relative means that the storm's overall motion is subtracted from the data to give a clearer picture of what the winds are doing within the storm. This display is helpful trying to diagnose if the storm itself is rotating. It can also be used when trying to determine if a tornado is present within the storm.

Backing wind - Winds that change direction in a counterclockwise sense. This occurs when wind directions turn to the left. An example is when the winds at a specific location turn from the north to the northwest. Backing winds can also refer to how the winds change direction with height. An example of this is when winds at the surface are from the north, while winds aloft are from the northwest.

Chionophobia - A person who suffers from Chionophobia has an irrational fear of snow or snow storms.

Climate - The average weather conditions for a specific location during a year or for many years. This can be thought of as the prevailing weather conditions that occur for a certain location in general, or over a long period of time.

Rawinsonde - An instrument attached to a weather balloon that measures atmospheric pressure, temperature, humidity, and wind speed/direction at different layers of the atmosphere. As the instrument rises through the atmosphere, the data is sent via radio waves to a receiver on the ground. Rawinsondes are launched all over the world at specified times. The data from these launches is used in initializing the numerous forecast models.

Beaufort scale - An older format that gives a general description of the wind speed using casual observations. It was developed in 1805 by Sir Francis Beaufort of the Royal Navy. The scale ranges from 0-12 with 0 being calm and 12 being hurricane-force. The scale can be used at sea or on land.

Chionophobia - A person who suffers from Chionophobia has an irrational fear of snow or snow storms.