Frontolosis - The dissipation of a frontal zone due to a weakening contrast between two air masses. The temperature gradient weakens during frontolysis, meaning the rate of change of the temperature along the frontal boundary is lessening. At the end of frontolysis, the front no longer exists. The opposite of frontolysis is frontogenesis.

Mirage - An optical effect created by the refraction of light caused by extreme temperature differences between the surface to just above it. The most common mirages look like pools of water in the distance over hot sand or pavement.

Tornado Warning - One is issued by the National Weather Service when a tornado is indicated by the WSR-88D radar or sighted by spotters; therefore, people in the affected area should seek safe shelter immediately. They can be issued without a Tornado Watch being already in effect. Tornadic thunderstorms commonly produce large hail and damaging winds as well.

Santa Ana Winds - A persistent wind that blows from east to west across southern California. The most common time of the year to see Santa Ana winds is from September to May. During this time of year a high pressure system periodically sets up over Nevada and Utah. The flow around the high induces the east winds that flow down the mountains into southern California. These dry, warm winds are notorious for creating ideal conditions for fires to start and spread.

Syzygy - This term refers to the 2 times a month when the sun and the moon are lined up, which results in either a new or full moon. In both cases, the gravitational effects of these astronomical bodies reinforce each other and coastal areas therefore experience higher high tides and lower low tides.

Radiation Fog - This type of fog forms at night under clear skies with calm winds. Under these conditions heat that was absorbed by the earth's surface during the day is allowed to radiate back into space. As the earth's surface continues to cool, provided a deep enough layer of moist air is present near the ground, the humidity will reach 100% and fog will form. Radiation fog varies in depth from 3 feet to about 1,000 feet and is always found at ground level and usually remains stationary. This type of fog can reduce visibility to near zero at times and make driving very hazardous.

Eddy viscosity - The turbulent transfer of momentum by eddies giving rise to internal fluid friction. Eddy viscosity is an important concept in turbulence theory.