WEATHER AND CLIMATE GENERAL WORDS

From Cambridge Advanced Learners Dictionary 3rd Ed.

ambient adjective [ before noun ] SPECIALIZED (especially of environmental conditions) existing

in the surrounding area ambient conditions/lighting/noise/temperature atmospherics plural noun SPECIALIZED unusual conditions in the atmosphere , such as those caused by lightning , or the continuous short, sharp noises produced by a radio during these conditions the aurora australis noun [ S ] ( ALSO the Southern Lights ) a pattern of differently coloured lights that are sometimes seen in the night sky in the most southern parts of the world the aurora borealis noun [ S ] ( ALSO the Northern Lights ) a pattern of differently coloured lights that are sometimes seen in the night sky in the most northern parts of the world barometer noun [ C ] 1. a device that measures air pressure and shows when the weather is likely to change climate noun WEATHER 1. [ C or U ] the general weather conditions usually found in a particular place a hot/dry/harsh climate The Mediterranean climate is good for growing citrus fruits and grapes. When we retire, we're going to move to a warmer climate. climatic adjective relating to general weather conditions Some parts of the world seem to be experiencing climatic changes. climatology noun [ U ] the scientific study of general weather conditions climes plural noun LITERARY a place where the weather is different in a particular way We're off to sunnier climes next week. equatorial adjective near the equator, or typical of places near the equator equatorial Africa The equatorial climate of the Amazonian rain forests is hot and wet. forecast noun [ C ] a statement of what is judged likely to happen in the future, especially in connection with a particular situation, or the expected weather conditions economic forecasts The weather forecast said it was going to rain later today. forecast verb [ T ] forecast or forecasted , forecast or forecasted to say what you expect to happen in the future They forecast a large drop in unemployment over the next two years. Snow has been forecast for tonight. [ + to infinitive ] Oil prices are forecast to increase by less than 2% this year. front noun [ C usually singular ] WEATHER 11. [ C ] SPECIALIZED the place where two masses of air which have different temperatures meet A cold/warm front is approaching from the west.

frontal system noun [ C ] SPECIALIZED a combination of weather conditions in which one or

more weather fronts can be recognised With so many frontal systems so close together, we can expect the weather to be highly changeable over the next few days. isobar noun [ C ] SPECIALIZED a line drawn on a weather map joining all the places which have the same air pressure isotherm noun [ C ] SPECIALIZED a line drawn on a weather map joining all the places which have the same temperature met adjective [ before noun ] ( USUALLY Met ) MAINLY UK INFORMAL FOR meteorological the Met Office

meteorological adjective ( INFORMAL met ) relating to weather conditions

Accurate meteorological records began 100 years ago.

meteorologist noun [ C ] someone who studies meteorology meteorology noun [ U ] the scientific study of the processes that cause particular weather
conditions

the Met Office noun [ S ] the British government department that studies weather
conditions and says what is expected to happen with the weather The Met Office says that the heat wave will continue for most of the week. a Met Office forecast/spokesman microclimate noun [ C ] an area in which the weather is usually different from the areas around it millibar noun [ C ] ( WRITTEN ABBREVIATION mb ) a unit of air pressure an anticyclone of 1030 millibars

the Northern lights plural noun the aurora borealis occlusion noun WEATHER 3. [ C ] ( ALSO occluded front ) SPECIALIZED a situation in the pollen count noun [ C ] a measurement of the amount of pollen in the air

weather when two masses of air meet, especially when a band of cold air reaches warm air ahead of it and pushes it up The pollen count is high today, which is bad news for hay fever sufferers.

rare adjective LESS OXYGEN 3. describes the atmosphere or air at the top of a mountain
which contains less oxygen, making it harder to breathe rarefied adjective LITTLE OXYGEN 1. (of air) with little oxygen spell noun [ C ] PERIOD 2. a short period of a particular type of weather a spell of dry weather The weather forecast is for dry, sunny spells. weather noun [ U ] the conditions in the air above the Earth such as wind, rain or temperature, especially at a particular time over a particular area bad/good/cold/dry/hot/stormy/warm/wet/etc. weather The weather in the hills can change very quickly, so take suitable clothing. We're going to have a picnic, weather permitting (= if the weather is good enough) .

weather forecast noun [ C ] a statement of what the weather is likely to be for the next
day or few days, usually broadcast on television or radio or printed in a newspaper and says what the weather is likely to be in the future

weather forecaster noun [ C ] 1. someone who scientifically studies weather conditions weather station noun [ C ] a building or place where information is collected about local
weather conditions zone noun [ C ] 2. SPECIALIZED one of the five parts into which the Earth is divided according to temperature, marked by imaginary lines going round it from east to west temperate zones the elements [ plural ] the weather, usually bad weather We decided to brave the elements and go for a walk (= go for a walk despite the bad weather) . the glass OLD-FASHIONED a barometer The glass has been falling/rising (= showing a change to bad/good weather) all day. the mercury OLD-FASHIONED INFORMAL the temperature With the mercury climbing to 40 degrees, beaches and pools will be crowded this afternoon. in all weathers If something is done in all weathers, it is done in every type of weather He's a real enthusiast - he goes fishing in all weathers.