WXSPHERE terminology

[StretchCT]

Many of us have been together on AccuForums for a long time, but many of us haven't.  I'm trying to make a working document on some of the terms and acronyms that come up from time to time, and that aren't in the NWS Glossary that MJ provided.  If you have one to add or correct, please comment.  I'll edit this page and add/correct them.  I'm trying to keep it as basic as possible, not overly technical.  

ABE - Allentown/Bethlehem/Lehigh Valley area, derived from the airport code

ACY - Atlantic City, derived from its airport code

ADT - Advanced Dvorak Technique   a tool used by the NHC to estimate tropical cyclone strength.

AFD - Area Forecast Discussion - where the local NWS office elaborates on their forecast. 

ALB - Albany, also used in reference to the NWS office there

Amped - amplitude Used in two ways which can get confusing.  First, commonly used to describe a strong storm as in "That storm is amped".  Second, references the amount of amplitude in a wave (distance from top to bottom), or a deepening trough or building ridge.  An amped ridge runs further north, an amped trough runs further south.  

Analog - historical instance of a given meteorological scenario or feature that is used for comparison with another scenario or feature. For example, a long-range forecaster predicting conditions for the upcoming winter may make comparisons to analog seasons in which meteorological factors were similar to those of the upcoming season.  (from noaa glossary)

 

AO - Arctic Oscillation.  Frequently cited teleconnection involving the circulation of air around 55N.  When +AO, the cold stays bottled up in the Arctic, when -AO the cold invades CONUS

Apps Runner  - a storm that typically goes up the Appalachians as describe here .  Typically brings rain up the east coast, possible ice, second most despised by the east coast to the GLC

ATTM - At the moment

AVP - Scranton/Wilkes Barre area Airport Code

BGM - Binghamton, derived from its airport code, also used in reference to the NWS office there

BDB  - in reference to a storm, I believe means the Boxing Day Blizzard of 2010.

BDL - Bradley Airport, shorthand for the Hartford/Springfield area

BDR - Sigorsky airport, shorthand for the Bridgeport area

Bernie (or BR)  - reference to Bernie Rayno on Accuweather

BGR - Bangor ME, airport code

BKB - Black Knight Blizzard of Jan 2016 that dumped up to 3 feet of snow   https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/January_2016_United_States_blizzard

BLZD (Blizzard) A blizzard means that the following conditions are expected to prevail for a period of 3 hours or longer:

• Sustained wind or frequent gusts to 35 miles an hour or greater; and

• Considerable falling and/or blowing snow (i.e., reducing visibility frequently to less than ¼ mile)

Blob - area of warm water found in the Gulf of Alaska, results from persistent ridging in that area

BM - Benchmark. Typically in the Northeast thread it references the 40N/70W benchmark which is the spot where its believed that the most people will get hit by snow.  Its specific to the NYC area, but typically when a storm runs from OBX to BM, RIC though BOS get hit too. There are other areas that have their own BMs, which you see noted in their AFD

 

Bomb - short for bombogenesis, or a storm that undergoes bombogenesis.  Bombogenesis meaning the rapid deepening of a storm, 24mb in under 24hrs.

BOS - Boston

Boundary layer - when referencing the surface boundary layer, its about 10M off the surface.  When referencing the planetary boundary layer, its about the lowest 1 or 2 km of the atmosphere.  As defined by NOAA

BOX - Boston NWS code, aka Norton (fka Taunton)

BSR - Bering Sea Rule - method of OFM (Organic Forecasting Method) which uses conditions in Northern Pacific to forecast conditions in the CONUS about 20-21 days later.  For more info try Organic Forecasting blog

BTV - Burlington VT, airport code

BUF - Buffalo NY, airport code

BWI - Baltimore area, airport code

CAA - Cold air advection.   The movement of cold air, usually via wind, into an area

CAD - Cold air damming.  As moisture approaches, air warms aloft, but the surface air is trapped either topographically, or because the winds haven't shifted yet to match the winds aloft.  Result is front end snow, turning to sleet or ice, usually turning to plain rain.

Cap - layer of relatively warm air aloft, usually several thousand feet above the ground, which suppresses or delays the development of thunderstorms.

CAPE - Convective Available Potential Energy. A measure of the amount of energy available for convection. CAPE is directly related to the maximum potential vertical speed within an updraft; thus, higher values indicate greater potential for severe weather. Observed values in thunderstorm environments often may exceed 1000 joules per kilogram (J/kg), and in extreme cases may exceed 5000 J/kg.

CDO - Central Dense Overcast - area of dense clouds in the center of a cyclone.

CFS - Climate Forecast System (aka coupled forecast system) - v2 is added frequently to note version 2.  Model that forecasts out 9 months.

CIMSS - typically used for tropical cyclones, the Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies is a great resource often sited here and in NHC forecast discussions.

Clipper - aka Alberta Clipper.  Fast moving storm out of Alberta, across the upper midwest and over the northeast.  Sometimes can redevelop when it hits the coast.  Typically a lighter amount of snow falls as a result of being moisture starved and fast moving.

Closed Low - A low pressure area with a distinct center of cyclonic circulation which can be completely encircled by one or more isobars or height contour lines. The term usually is used to distinguish a low pressure area aloft from a low-pressure trough. Closed lows aloft typically are partially or completely detached from the main westerly current, and thus move relatively slowly   As defined by NOAA

Clown Map - snow map with unrealistic amounts

CLT - Charlotte NC, airport code

CMC - Canadian numerical model. Also known as the GEM, crazy uncle, drunk uncle, call me crazy, or crazy maker of cyclones. 

COC - center of circulation

COD - Circle of death - where the MJO goes to die.  The circle in the middle of the MJO chart in which the MJO becomes irrelevant. 

Cone of Uncertainty - that forecast cone you see before a tropical system. 

Continental Air Mass - dry, typically cold, air mass which moves over a continent.

Convection - the vertical movement of heat and moisture, typically associated with thunderstorms.

Convective Feedback - term used when models try to place LPs by areas of thunderstorms.  Noticeable when LP's jump around hour to hour on a model run.

CONUS - Continental United States

CPC - Climate Prediction Center typically used as a resource for teleconnections and medium to long range forecasts.

CPF - cross polar flow.  When present, gets cold.

CRAS - model developed by CIMSS, stands for CIMSS Regional Assimilation System which is only posted when we need a laugh or are bored.

CTP - State College PA  NWS office

Cutoff Low -  A closed upper-level low which has become completely displaced (cut off) from basic westerly current, and moves independently of that current. Cutoff lows may remain nearly stationary for days, or on occasion may move westward opposite to the prevailing flow aloft (i.e., retrogression).

CWG aka Cranky - an enthusiast often referred to who is found on Twitter, but also blogs on Stormhamster.com.  Identity is a mystery, though known to live in SE Mass

Cyclogenesis  - the formation of a cyclone. 

D# - as in D3 or D7.  Day 3 or Day 7

dBZ - measurement of intensity of radar returns.

 

Deformation Zone - an area, typically on the western edge of a nor'easter, where the wind field is stretched or sheared.  Results in a band of precip forming that can remain over an area for hours as a storm passes has passed.  The physics behind it are above my pay band, but nynjpaweather does a nice job explaining and demonstrating it. 

Dendrites - the prettiest and most popular form of snowflake.

Dendritic Growth Zone (DGZ)  - snow growth is highest when temperatures are -12c to -17c.  The Dendritic Growth zone is the layer of the atmosphere in which dendrites form best, in between those temperatures.  It is typically found in skew-t's that are on Pivotal or Tropical Tidbits. 

DCA - Washington DC area airport code

DGEX - old school model that was an extension of the NAM out to hr 192.  Famously known for clown maps.

DKB - Dark Knight Blizzard (meaning of name still be researched) occurred January 2016.  Killed 55 people, gusts to 85mph, 983mb low.  30"+ widespread in the mid atlantic with 44" in Glen Gary, but 66" on Mt Mitchell.  Spawned 6 tornadoes max EF2. AKA Jonas

DP/DPT/DWPT - dew point, or the temperature at which the air would be fully saturated. A useful measure as to how moist the air is. 

Difluence (also spelled diffluence) - area where winds fan out along an axis.  When occurring in upper layers, can aid in convection.  Not to be confused with Divergence and is the opposite of confluence

Divergence - area where horizontal wind speeds start to spread out.  Can also aid in formation of thunderstorms/convection. This Haby Hint article does a nice job outlining confluence, convergence, diffluence and divergence.

Dry Slot - dreaded by all snow lovers and often results in posts that read "D^&*, I got dryslotted".  The term is often misused. The dry slot is not just a simple area where its not snowing. Its an area of dry  air which wraps east- or northeastward into the southern and eastern parts of a low pressure system.  Thus you cannot be dryslotted if you are on the west side of a coastal storm as it goes north.  The dry slot is annotated in this image

            and its process annotated on this radar image.       

 

DT - initials of a weather personality that Snobal worships. 

but I have no clue who he is.

DZ, DRZ - Drizzle

EAR - East Asian Rule.  Method of OFM where conditions over East Asia correlate to conditions over the CONUS one to two weeks later (example is Seoul and Nashville).  Our members put together a nice site related to Organic Forecasting which includes more information on the EAR and BSR.

EC - East coast

ECMWF - European Center for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts - aka:  the Euro, the King.  An operational model that runs to 10 days which is held in high esteem.

Ensemble - a model that runs a control, then makes slight changes to initial conditions to generate different outcomes by its members.  Typically there will be the control run, the individual member runs and the mean of the members. It can also be used to describe the compilation or blending of different models, as in the AccuWX model and the Florida State Superensemble. 

ENSO - El-Nino / Southern Oscillation.  If we don't have an ENSO page elsewhere, we should start one as we had one on Accuforums. 

EPO - Eastern Pacific Oscillation. Atmospheric flow across the Eastern Pacific.  Its positive index results in a flow into the NW PAC bringing rain and snow, but warm temps to the CONUS east of the Rockies. Negative value means ridging over the Eastern Pacific into Alaska which results in a warmer Alaska, but cooler CONUS.  You can get those values at ESRL teleconnection page

EPS - European Ensemble.  Runs a little later than the operational Euro 2x per day and out to 360 hrs.  There is a model mean, control and then individual members. 

ESRL - Earth System Research Laboratory

ETA - old school reference to the NAM model.  NAM used to be called ETA.

Euro - the operational European Model.  Goes out to 240hrs and recently started running 4x per day.  Its 12z run starts around 2pm edt or 1pm est.  AKA ECMWF, the King. 

EWR - Newark, NJ

Extratropical - having lost (or never had) tropical characteristics.  That is, the fuel for extratropical storms is baroclinic as opposed to the latent heat release of tropical storms.  Note that once a tropical system becomes extratropical, it can still carry hurricane force winds (Oscar is doing so as I type)

F  Farenheit

FIM - an experimental model usually only posted when we are bored or grasping at straws. 

Flurries - intermittent light snow fall that doesn't result in accumulation

Freezing Rain (FZRA or ZR) - precip that falls as rain and freezes upon making contact with a surface which has a temperature below freezing.  Common when warm fronts pass through as CAD remains and confused often with sleet.  ZR can occur with 2m temps either above or below freezing. Warm air aloft can melt the snow and it doesn't have time to refreeze in the air as sleet.  Or if the air is over 0c, a surface (road, railing, tree) may be still below freezing.  If its under 0c outside and you stick your hand out and it gets wet without snow or sleet melting, you have freezing rain. 

FROPA - frontal passage

Fujiwhara effect - the interaction of two cyclones (typically tropical) in which they start to rotate around a common point between them.

FV3 - latest greatest of the GFS.  FV3 stands for Finite Volume Cubed.  It was launched in 2019 and renamed the GFS.

 Gale  - An extratropical low or an area of sustained surface winds of 34 (39 mph) to 47 knots (54 mph)

Gap - break in a mountain chain.  eg - Cumberland Gap which is suspected to aid in transferring LP to the coast.

GDPS  - global deterministic prediction system or GEM

GEM - Global Environmental Multiscale Model operated by the Canadian Meteorological Centre.  AKA CMC, Drunk Uncle, GDPS.  Runs 2x per day out to 10 days

GEPS - GEM ensemble with 20 members, runs 2x day out to 16 days

GEFS - GFS Ensemble

GFS - Global Forecast System - American operational forecast model runs 4x day out to 15 days.  Commonly known as the Goofus and being replaced by the FV3 in 2019.   Its 0z run begins to display around 10pm EST or 11pm EDT.  The 12z run is around 11 EST and noon EDT.

GL - geographically, Great Lakes

GLC - Great Lakes Cutter.  Storm that heads through the Great Lakes, most hated storm by the MA and NE as it soaks the EC and brings up warm air in the winter.

 

GMT - Greenwich Mean Time.  Also known as Zulu time (z), or Universal Time (UTC).  0z is 8pm EDT or 7pm EST.  12z is 8am EDT or 7am EST.

GOM - Gulf of Mexico

Gravity Wave - sounds really awesome, but its really just a ripple effect.  Becomes impressive when caused by convection and is seen on satellite.

Ground Clutter - when your radar image looks messed up, its usually due to ground clutter confusing the radar.

 

GS - when in context with the EC its Gulf Stream.

GYX - Gray/Portland ME NWS office

H - 1.  in context of height  H5 is 500mb, H7 700mb, H8 is 850mb.  2.  In context of time is same as Hr. as in H48 or Hr72.  3. High as in HP

Hail - ice pellets falling from a thunderstorm, very rare occurrence in the winter, not to be confused with sleet which falls when the lower thermal profile is below freezing.

HECS - Historic East Coast Storm

HLB - High Latitude Blocking - high pressure/ridging in the Arctic or Greenland causes lower pressures/troughing in the mid-latitudes. ..when a weather system matures, it naturally wants to move north and east, but when there's high pressure there, the system can't move north so it can get stuck, blocking the system and causing a prolonged period of cold weather (thanks to ClicheVortex)

HM - Henry Margusity - former Accuweather forecaster known for wearing a "big daddy" hat when a storm is coming.

HP - high pressure

HPN - White Plains, NY airport code

hPa - hectopascal.  Unit of pressure equal to 1 mb.  Rarely used on this site.

HRRR - High Resolution Rapid Refresh model.  Runs hourly out 18 hours with 3k resolution. 

HV - Hudson Valley

HWO - Hazardous Weather Outlook - a product of the NWS that alerts the public to hazardous weather.  Found on your local NWS page.

IAD - Dulles Airport, VA

IMBY - In my backyard

IR - Infra-red - typically used with a satellite reference

ISP - Islip, LI

ITCZ - Inter-tropical Convergence Zone. The region where the northeasterly and southeasterly tradewinds converge, forming an often continuous band of clouds or thunderstorms near the equator

JAX Rule - posits if there is strong convection in Jacksonville, FL (or vicinity) AND cold air in place over our region, dynamic processes will enhance the snowfall within our region (having to do with latent heat release)

JB - 1.  Joe Bastardi - easily excited and intense met (bodybuilder and wrestler), formerly at Accuweather, now at Weatherbell.  2. Justin Berk - met out of Baltimore, more commonly called Justin rather than JB.

Jet Streak - section of the jet stream which has higher winds.  Left Front/Right Rear sections of jet streaks enhance precipitation by encouraging upward motion. For more... click

JMA - Japanese Model, aka the Mayor,  6z and 18z runs are out to 72 hrs.  12z run is out to Hr192

JTWC - Joint Typhoon Warning Center.  Naval Meteorological agency which monitors conditions and issues Cyclone warnings for the Indian and Pacific oceans.

Kelvin Waves - eastward propagating equatorial waves which can cause a variation in the thermocline (temperature profile of a water column).  For a demo... click

Kts - knots.  One kt = 1.15mph

Kuchera ratio - an alternate way to calculate a snow ratio which takes into consideration temperatures at different levels of the atmosphere.

LI - usually Long Island.  However can also mean Lifted Index.

LLJ - Lower level jet

LP - low pressure

Longwave (trough) - wave in the atmosphere that is large and usually slower in nature, as marked in green below

. 

LR - typically refers to long range.

LRC - Lezak Recurring Cycle - OFM based on that weather cycles repeat.  For more...click

LV - geographic reference to Lehigh Valley

LVL - level

MA - usually means mid-Atlantic. Also means Massachusetts.

Mayor (the)  - JMA model

 

mb - millibar.  Typical way we measure air pressure on this site.

MCC - Mesoscale Convective Complex.  Large MCS, round or oval, over 100,000 sqkm in area (roughly ohio), with cloud top temps of -32c or less, or 50,000 sqkm if cloud top temps are under -52c.

MCS - Mesoscale Convective System.  Cluster of thunderstorms, typically lasting more than 6 hours and peaking at night.  Similar to MCC.

MDBR - MD Blue Ridge

MDT  - Harrisburg PA  airport code .

MECS - Major East Coast Storm

Mesoscale - scale of area affected by weather ranging from 50 miles to a few hundred miles.  Synoptic scale includes high pressure and low pressure systems, mesoscale includes smaller storms.

Met - meteorologist

METAR - An international code (Aviation Routine Weather Report) used for reporting, recording and transmitting weather observations.

Miller - an alternative nickname for StretchCT in college.

Miller A - Type of nor'easter that develops in the GOM or SE Coast and rides up coast, as depicted by NWS CTP; also a member . @Miller A

Miller B - a type of nor'easter that crosses the OH or TN Valley and reforms at the coast, riding northeast, as depicted by NWS CTP:

MJ - Maine Jay @MaineJay

MJO - Madden Julian Oscillation.  An eastward moving disturbance of clouds, rainfall, winds, and pressure that traverses the planet in the tropics and returns to its initial starting point in 30 to 60 days, on average.  When the MJO is in positions (phases) 7, 8, and 1, chances of snowfall are increased.

MOS - Model Output Statistics.  Short range guidance package sent to 300 stations including precip and temp forecasts.

MRF - Medium range forecast model. Rolled into GFS now.

MSLP - Mean Sea Level Pressure, measured in mb or inches

Mt. Holly - the PHL NWS office

MVY - Martha's Vineyard

MW - Midwest.  You can argue all day on who is from the MW, just like you can argue the existence of Central NJ.  

NADS - nickle and dime snow

NAM - North America Mesoscale Forecast System - American short range model going out 84 hours, running 4x per day.  Only covers North American Domain. Available in 32k resolution, 12k resolution (standard) and 3k resolution.  Known for over doing QPS and generally will forecast storms to the west of the GFS. 

Nammed - NAM usually puts out the most precip, overdoing it.  Shows 4.2" of qpf 48 hrs before the storm, only to have it go to .8" day of, with no track change.  So when you have 28" in your back yard on a snow map, you've been nammed.

NAO - North Atlantic Oscillation. The anomalies in sea level pressure between the Icelandic low pressure system and the Azores high pressure system in the North Atlantic Ocean which affects the jet stream. +NAO results in faster flow off the continent and warmer temps along the EC.  -NAO results in a more amped jet, deeper longwave troughs and slower moving systems due to blocking. You DO NOT need a -NAO for a EC snow storm.  Members swear by it and we can dedicate a whole blog or thread for the topic of the NAO. 

NESIS: Northeast Snow Impact Scale - reserved for the most disruptive and or damaging of winter storms

Not Ready for Prime Time Shift (alternatively:  Overnight crew) Old Timers who imbibe heavily while discussing weather during the more important (usually winter) storms

Omega Block  - HLB that looks like the letter omega.  Omega blocks are a combination of two cutoff lows with one blocking high sandwiched between them. Because of their size, Omega blocks are often quite persistent and can lead to flooding and drought conditions, depending upon the location under the pattern. Cooler temperatures and precipitation accompany the lows, while warm and clear conditions prevail under the high.

OV - Ohio Valley

PAC - Pacific

PDI/ PDII: Major snowstorms in the East falling on President's Day Weekend. PDI = 1979, PDII = 2003. Many people are always looking out for PDIII

PNA - Pacific North American index. The positive phase of the PNA pattern features above-average heights in the vicinity of Hawaii and over the intermountain region of North America, and below-average heights located south of the Aleutian Islands and over the southeastern United States. The negative phase is associated with a westward retraction of that jet stream toward eastern Asia, blocking activity over the high latitudes of the North pacific, and a strong split-flow configuration over the central North Pacific. The positive phase of the PNA pattern is associated with above-average temperatures over western Canada and the extreme western United States, and below-average temperatures across the south-central and southeastern U.S.  

This is the postitve phase of the PNA

PVD - Providence RI, airport code

PWM - Portland ME, airport code

 

QBO - Quasi Biennial Oscillation. The phase of the equatorial zonal wind in the stratosphere.  Eastward phases of the QBO often coincide with more sudden stratospheric warmings, a weaker Atlantic jet stream and cold winters in Northern Europe and eastern USA whereas westward phases of the QBO often coincide with mild winters in eastern USA and a strong Atlantic jet stream with mild, wet stormy winters in northern Europe

QPF - Quantitative precip forecast.  AKA liquid precip.

PARD - PA Road Dog @PA road DAWG

POC - a member of this site @Poco

POU - Poughkepsie, NY

Puking - tremendous amounts of snow, the best snow, the prettiest snow there is.

PV - Polar Vortex (aka TPV or Tropospheric Polar Vortex) -The polar vortex is a large area of low pressure and cold air surrounding both of the Earth’s poles 

RDU - Raleigh Durham

REX Block - A form of HLB.  "Rex blocks are characterized by a high-pressure system located pole-ward of a low-pressure system. The Rex block will remain nearly stationary until one of the height centers changes intensity, unbalancing the high-over-low pattern.  Unsettled, stormy weather is usually found near the low pressure, while dry conditions are typical with the high-pressure. Strong, particularly persistent Rex blocks can cause flooding near the low-pressure part of the block and short-term drought under the high-pressure part."

 

RIC - Richmond, VA

ROA - Roanoke, VA

ROC - Rochester, NY

Rooster Shift - nuts like UTS,MJ and others who log on at or near 3 a.m. on most days

RRW - recurring Rossby Wave

SECS - what we give up when there is an east coast storm.

Shortwave (trough) SWV - found in the upper levels, its seen a small kink in the flow.  See circled areas.

  

 

SKEW-T: A sounding chart that most should take the time to learn the basics of. In one image it captures the weather of all types at all levels of the atmosphere. Made easier by model issuing sites adding verbage to the charts.  Billings put out a good video explaining 

 

Snobal - a cherished member of the Accuweather forums who is involved in several professional weather forums. No words can adequately describe Snobal so I'll take it from their bio.  Not a greenhorn, Snobal has been around since before Paul Kocin. Snobal learned a lot in 2010's, though not a model hugger.  Faithful to the point of being burnt, but won't allow that to happen again.  Someday Snobal may find a home here, or... perhaps here already, incognito.

 

Snowmageddon: Late winter of 2010 (primarily Feb 5-6 of that year)

SREF - short range ensemble forecast, essentially the NAM ensemble

SSW - Sudden Stratospheric Warming, which takes place over the north pole at 10mb level. This warming is sudden and results in the disruption or displacement of the polar vortex. 

Sterling - Baltimore/Washington DC NWS office

SWH - SoWhatsHappening

ST - Supertyphoon, senior member of the site who we hope returns soon.

STJ - Sub Tropical Jet 

TDAT - The Day After Tomorrow 😢

 

Tucked - Along the coast

Typhoon Rule (TR) - a strong cyclone that recurves just prior to the Japan Prefectures (islands) will cause stormy weather in the E US within a 7-10 day time period - similarly East Asia Rule (EAR)

UKMET - United Kingdom Meteorology model.  AKA the Professor, Nator, Ukinator, Ukie. Other nicknames of the ukmet include but are not limited to, uk,  natorino, prof, natoroncini, 4 on the floor and mr grabby hands/pants per @Poconosnow.  "It sometimes has a tendency to over amp systems and phase a wee bit too much, hence the mr grabby nickname." Known for its track, not its size or strength of a low.  Difficult to obtain, runs 5 days out, 2x per day. 

Upton - NYC NWS office

UNV - State College/University Park PA

ULL  - Upper Level Low

UTS - Undertakerson @Undertakerson2.0

Virga - when radar shows it's snowing or raining but it's too dry at the surface so the precip is dried out before it falls to our level

Vort - area of vorticity/energy

Unicorn Storm - not really sure, they don't exist

Wakefield - NWS office for RIC to the Tidewater

WSSI - Winter Storm Severity Index - for more click here orhere for tutorial

WV - water vapor

Z - Universal Time, aka GMT (see GMT for conversion)

Edited February 12 by StretchCT

[Undertakerson2.0]

JAX Rule - posits if there is strong convection in Jacksonville, FL (or vicinity) AND cold air in place over our region, dynamic processes will enhance the snowfall within our region (having to do with latent heat release)

Typhoon Rule (TR) - a strong cyclone that recurves just prior to the Japan Prefectures (islands) will cause stormy weather in the E US within a 7-10 day time period - similarly East Asia Rule (EAR)

Not Ready for Prime Time Shift (alternatively:  Overnight crew) Old Timers who imbibe heavily while discussing weather during the more important (usually winter) storms

Rooster Shift - nuts like Undertakerson2.0 and others who log on at or near 3 a.m. on most days

Virga - when radar shows it's snowing or raining but it's too dry at the surface so the precip is dried out before it falls to our level

SKEW-T: A sounding chart that most should take the time to learn the basics of. In one image it captures the weather of all types at all levels of the atmosphere. Made easier by model issuing sites adding verbage to the charts 

"H"5/7/8.5 - Shorthand for indicating the levels of the atmosphere at 500mb/ 700mb/ 850mb

PV (or TPV) Polar Vortex or Tropospheric Polar Vortex

For clarification to original set - DT is Dave Toleris. A great and knowledgeable Met but a horrid personality. Runs a site/page WxRisk. Has a huge S MidAtl following on various social media. Would argue with himself if he could clone himself. 

Snowmageddon: Late winter of 2010 (primarily Feb 5-6 of that year)

Frankenstorm: another name for Hurricane Sandy

Halloween Surprise Storm: 2011 major winter storm across the east. Was not a total surprise to forum regulars. 

 

PDI/ PDII: Major snowstorms in the East falling on President's Day Weekend. PDI = 1979, PDII = 2003. Many people are always looking out for PDIII

NESIS: Northeast Snow Impact Scale - reserved for the most disruptive and or damaging of winter storms

 

 

 

Edited January 20 by Undertakerson2.0

[Hiramite]

Great stuff!  Thanks.
 

Once we’re “done” would it be worthwhile for me to put all this on a searchable excel spreadsheet and attach the file here???  On second thought, a user can just use the search function for this thread.  

Edited January 20 by Hiramite

[StretchCT]

On 1/19/2024 at 4:23 AM, Undertakerson2.0 said:

JAX Rule - posits if there is strong convection in Jacksonville, FL (or vicinity) AND cold air in place over our region, dynamic processes will enhance the snowfall within our region (having to do with latent heat release)

Typhoon Rule (TR) - a strong cyclone that recurves just prior to the Japan Prefectures (islands) will cause stormy weather in the E US within a 7-10 day time period - similarly East Asia Rule (EAR)

Not Ready for Prime Time Shift (alternatively:  Overnight crew) Old Timers who imbibe heavily while discussing weather during the more important (usually winter) storms

Rooster Shift - nuts like Undertakerson2.0 and others who log on at or near 3 a.m. on most days

Virga - when radar shows it's snowing or raining but it's too dry at the surface so the precip is dried out before it falls to our level

SKEW-T: A sounding chart that most should take the time to learn the basics of. In one image it captures the weather of all types at all levels of the atmosphere. Made easier by model issuing sites adding verbage to the charts 

"H"5/7/8.5 - Shorthand for indicating the levels of the atmosphere at 500mb/ 700mb/ 850mb

PV (or TPV) Polar Vortex or Tropospheric Polar Vortex

For clarification to original set - DT is Dave Toleris. A great and knowledgeable Met but a horrid personality. Runs a site/page WxRisk. Has a huge S MidAtl following on various social media. Would argue with himself if he could clone himself. 

Snowmageddon: Late winter of 2010 (primarily Feb 5-6 of that year)

Frankenstorm: another name for Hurricane Sandy

Halloween Surprise Storm: 2011 major winter storm across the east. Was not a total surprise to forum regulars. 

 

PDI/ PDII: Major snowstorms in the East falling on President's Day Weekend. PDI = 1979, PDII = 2003. Many people are always looking out for PDIII

NESIS: Northeast Snow Impact Scale - reserved for the most disruptive and or damaging of winter storms

 

 

 

Good stuff.  Around here Frankenstorm is the halloween snowstorm.