Glossary of weather terms
Ever wonder what the difference is between partly cloudy and partly sunny?
The National Weather Service explains it all:Advisory: Highlights special weather conditions that are less serious than a warning. They are for events that may cause significant inconvenience, and if caution is not exercised, it could lead to situations that may threaten life and/or property.Black ice: Slang reference to patchy ice on roadways that cannot easily be seen.Blizzard: A blizzard means that the following conditions are expected to prevail for a period of three hours or longer: Sustained wind or frequent gusts to 35 miles an hour or greater; and considerable falling and/or blowing snow that reduces visibility frequently to less than a quarter of a mile.Blustery: 15 to 25 mph winds.Chance: Means there is a 30, 40, or 50 percent chance of measurable precipitation (0.01 inch).El Niño: A condition characterized by unusually warm ocean temperatures in the Equatorial Pacific.Flash flood: A rapid and extreme flow of high water into a normally dry area, or a rapid water level rise in a stream or creek above a predetermined flood level, beginning within six hours of intense rainfall, dam failure, or an ice jam.Freeze: A freeze is when the surface air temperature is expected to be 32°F or below over a widespread area for a climatologically significant period of time. "Killing" may be used during the growing season when the temperature is expected to be low enough for long enough to kill all but the hardiest plants.Freezing rain: Rain that falls as a liquid but freezes into glaze upon contact with the ground.La Nina: A condition characterized by unusually cold ocean temperatures in the Equatorial Pacific.Likely: In probability of precipitation statements, the equivalent of a 60 or 70 percent chance.Partly cloudy: Between and of the sky is covered by clouds.Partly sunny: Between and of the sky is covered by clouds.Sleet: Pellets of ice composed of frozen or mostly frozen raindrops or refrozen partially melted snowflakes. These pellets of ice usually bounce after hitting the ground or other hard surfaces. Heavy sleet is a relatively rare event defined as an accumulation of ice pellets covering the ground to a depth of one-half inch or more.Warning: A warning is issued when a hazardous weather or hydrologic event is occurring, is imminent, or has a very high probability of occurring. A warning is used for conditions posing a threat to life or property.Watch: A watch is used when the risk of a hazardous weather or hydrologic event has increased significantly, but its occurrence, location, and/or timing is still uncertain. It is intended to provide enough lead time so that those who need to set their plans in motion can do so.