A Tsunami is a large destructive wave that starts because of an earthquake, landslide, or volcanic eruption on the ocean’s floor.
Heat Lightning
Heat Lightning is lightning that is seen but no heard. This occurs when a Thunderstorm is too far away for the thunder to be heard.
Hail
Hail refers to pellets (or balls) of ice larger than 5mm wide. Hail typically falls when Thunderstorm conditions are present.
Wind Chill
Wind Chill is a temperature reading that factors in how wind speed effects what the temperature feels like.
Blizzard
Blizzard conditions exist when a snow storm contains high winds (greater than 35 mph), large amounts of snowfall or blowing snow, and very cold temperatures.
Wind Gust
A Wind Gust is the term for an increase in wind speed of more than 10 knots (11.5 mph).
Gale
A Gale is a term used for surface wind that sustains speeds of 39 to 54mph.
Front
A Front is the boundary between two air masses with different temperatures (or densities).
El Niño
El Niño occurs when the ocean current off the coast of Ecuador and Peru warms, causing dramatic changes in weather patterns. El Niño is a fairly common occurrance – typically every 3 to 7 years.
La Niña
La Niña is the opposite of El Niño. La Niña occurs when the ocean current off the coast of Ecuador and Peru cool, causing dramatic changes in weather patterns.