Meteopedia — Weather glossary

Weather encyclopedia with 342 terms

Browse detailed definitions of atmospheric phenomena, cloud types, measurement instruments, regional winds, meteorological scales, climatology and more.

342 Meteopedia 16 categories
All (342) Atmospheric phenomena (50) Instruments (30) Scales and measurements (10) Clouds (36) Wind (34) Precipitation (24) Temperature (15) Cyclones and severe storms (14) Atmospheric optics (16) Meteorological astronomy (5) Climatology (34) Marine meteorology (15) Air quality (10) Agrometeorology (10) Hazards and safety (10) General (29)
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

A

Avalanche

Mass of snow that detaches and slides downhill at high speed, capable of burying people, destroying infrastructure, and reaching speeds of 200 km/h.

Hazards and safety

E

Early warning

System combining weather monitoring, forecasting, and communication to warn the population before a dangerous phenomenon strikes, minimising casualties and damage.

Hazards and safety

F

Flash flood

Sudden flood caused by intense rainfall in a short period, overwhelming watercourses, dry riverbeds, and drainage systems within minutes or hours, with great destructive power.

Hazards and safety

Flood zone

Geographic area susceptible to flooding from river or coastal surges with a given return period, regulated by urban planning and water legislation.

Hazards and safety

FWI index

Fire weather index combining temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, and accumulated drought to assess wildfire spread risk.

Hazards and safety

H

Heat action plan

Health action plan activated when maximum temperature thresholds are exceeded for several days, with protective measures for vulnerable groups.

Hazards and safety

L

Landslide

Downhill movement of a mass of soil, rock, or debris along a slope, triggered by heavy rainfall, earthquakes, or human activity.

Hazards and safety

R

River flood

Sudden, violent rise in a river or stream caused by heavy rainfall, rapid snowmelt, or dam failure, with great destructive capacity.

Hazards and safety

W

Weather warning

Official communication issued by the national weather service when dangerous atmospheric conditions are expected, classified by severity levels (yellow, orange, red).

Hazards and safety

Weather-driven wildfire

Forest fire whose spread is dominated by meteorological conditions: strong wind, low relative humidity, high temperature, and accumulated drought.

Hazards and safety