Meteorology and atmospheric science terminology · MLC-0110
Meteorology and atmospheric science terms: R (576)
- Robin sphereA rigid, metalized, inflatable balloon used to measure high-altitude wind speed and direction. Deployed from...
- Robitzsch actinographA type of bimetallic strip pyranometer used to measure global solar radiation, which is the total solar...
- RocketA missile, spacecraft, or other vehicle propelled by a rocket engine, often used in meteorology to carry...
- Rocket lightningA rare form of lightning whose luminous channel seems to advance through the air at only about the speed of a...
- RocketsondeAn instrument package launched by a small rocket to measure atmospheric conditions at very high altitudes...
- Rocket-triggered lightningLightning initiated artificially by launching a small rocket that trails a grounded wire into the electric...
- Rockfill damIn hydrologic terms, an embankment dam of earth or rock in which the material is placed in layers and...
- ROFORA coded meteorological forecast specifically designed for aviation, providing information on expected weather...
- ROFOTA route forecast for an air route, giving the expected winds, temperatures and significant weather along the...
- Rogue waveCommonly used term by mariners of a wave of an unexpected wave of much greater height or steepness than other...
- RollA type of horizontal, tube-shaped cloud associated with the leading edge of a thunderstorm gust front or a...
- Roll cloudA low, horizontal, tube-shaped arcus cloud that appears to roll about its horizontal axis. It forms along the...
- Rolled filled damIn hydrologic terms, an embankment dam of earth or rock in which the material is placed in layers and...
- RollersLong, uniform ocean waves that travel in groups, often generated by distant storms and persisting after the...
- RollsHorizontal, elongated circulations in the atmosphere, often observed in the planetary boundary layer, that...
- ROMETA route forecast for an air route, giving the expected winds, temperatures and significant weather along the...
- Röntgen rayA form of electromagnetic radiation with very short wavelengths, typically ranging from 0.01 to 10...
- Root-mean-square errorA statistical measure of the magnitude of the errors between predicted values and observed values, commonly...
- Rope(Also "Rope Funnel") - a narrow, often contorted condensation funnel usually associated with the decaying...
- Rope cloudA long, narrow, tube-shaped cloud formation visible on satellite imagery, marking a sharp boundary in the...
- Rope stageThe dissipating stage of a tornado, characterized by thinning and shrinking of the condensation funnel into a...
- ROSARemote Observing System Automation. A type of automated data transmitter used by NWS Cooperative Program...
- Rosemount temperature housingA housing for the temperature sensor of a Rosemount total-temperature probe on an aircraft. Air enters a...
- Rossby numberA dimensionless number used in fluid dynamics to characterize the ratio of inertial forces to Coriolis...
- Rossby number similarityA theoretical framework used to describe the structure of the planetary boundary layer under neutral or...
- Rossby parameterThe latitudinal variation of the Coriolis parameter, which describes how the Coriolis effect changes with...
- Rossby radius of deformationA characteristic length scale in geophysical fluid dynamics that represents the distance over which...
- Rossby regimeAn atmospheric flow regime where the dynamics are primarily governed by the propagation and interaction of...
- Rossby waveLarge-scale, planetary waves that occur in rotating fluids, such as the Earth's atmosphere and oceans, due to...
- Rossby wavesA series of troughs and ridges on quasi-horizontal surfaces in the major belt of upper tropospheric...
- Rossby-gravity waveAn equatorially trapped wave, also called the Yanai wave, whose dispersion resembles that of a Rossby wave at...
- Rotary currentAn ocean current that changes direction continuously through 360 degrees over a tidal cycle, forming an...
- Rotating multicylinderAn instrument used to measure the liquid water content of supercooled clouds, particularly in icing research...
- Rotating Reynolds numberA dimensionless quantity that characterizes the ratio of inertial forces to viscous forces in a rotating...
- RotationThe spinning of a body, such as the earth, about its axis.
- RotationalDescribing a flow field where the curl of the velocity vector is non-zero, indicating the presence of local...
- Rotational instabilityA type of atmospheric instability that arises when the restoring forces due to rotation are insufficient to...
- Rotenturm windA warm, dry, and gusty downslope wind that occurs in the vicinity of the Rotenturm Pass in the Southern...
- ROTGRotating
- RotorA turbulent, horizontal roll cloud that forms on the lee side of a mountain range, often beneath a mountain...
- Rotor cloudA turbulent, cylindrical cloud that forms in the lee of mountain ranges, associated with mountain waves. It...
- Rotten iceSea ice that has undergone extensive melting and deterioration, becoming porous and weak. This process occurs...
- Rough airAtmospheric conditions characterized by irregular and turbulent air movements, causing an aircraft to...
- Rough seasSea conditions associated with regionally defined wind thresholds over bays, inlets, harbors, inland waters...
- Roughness sublayerThe lowest part of the atmospheric boundary layer, immediately above the surface, where the flow is directly...
- Roundoff errorThe difference between the exact mathematical result of a calculation and the value a computer actually...
- RoutingIn hydrologic terms, the methods of predicting the attenuation of a flood wave as it moves down the course of...
- RPDRapid
- RPLCReplace
- RPRTReport
- RQRRequire
- RRQRight Rear Quadrant - the area upstream from and to the right of an upper-level jet max (as would be viewed...
- R-scopeA radar display derived from the A-scope, with range along the horizontal axis and echoes shown as vertical...
- RSGRising
- RSNReason
- RTERoute
- RTRDRetard
- RTRNReturn
- RTVSReal Time Verification System
- Rubber iceNewly formed sea ice that is weak and elastic, bending under waves or pressure instead of breaking. It forms...
- RUCRapid Update Cycle model, a numerical model run by NCEP that focuses on short-term forecasts out to 12 hours.
- Rule-based systemA type of artificial intelligence system that uses a set of 'if-then' statements, or rules, to derive...
- RunoffThe portion of precipitation or melted snow and ice that flows over the land surface, eventually reaching...
- Runoff coefficientA dimensionless factor representing the fraction of total precipitation that becomes surface runoff, rather...
- Runoff cycleThe continuous movement of water over land surfaces, originating from precipitation that does not infiltrate...
- Runoff plotA small, bounded area of land used in hydrology and soil science to measure surface runoff and soil erosion...
- Runway elevationThe altitude of the highest point of a runway's usable landing surface above mean sea level. This measurement...
- Runway observationMeteorological data collected at an airport runway to assess current weather conditions relevant to aircraft...
- Runway temperatureThe air temperature measured directly at the surface of an airport runway. This measurement is used by pilots...
- Runway visibilityThe horizontal distance a pilot can see down the runway from a specific point, usually the approach end. This...
- Runway visual rangeThe maximum distance at which a pilot can see the runway surface markings or lights from the cockpit of an...
- Rush of snowmelt floodA rapid increase in water levels in rivers and streams caused by the sudden melting of a large snowpack. This...
- RVARiver Summary, a NWS summary of river and/or crest stages for selected forecast points along the river.
- RVFRiver Forecast. An internal product issued by RFCs to other NWS offices. An RVF contains stage and/ or flow...
- RVIRiver Ice Statement
- RVR1. Runway Visual Range - the maximum distance at which the runway, or the specified lights or markers...
- RVS1. Abbreviation for "revise"
- RWRainshower
576 of 10,756 terms in Meteorology and atmospheric science terminology (MLC-0110). Request the full dataset.