Dictionary page
Several words and terms used throughout this source are hyper-linked to this page, in which the definitions are present to ensure that the audience has a clear understanding and are able to interpret the text effectively and in the manner intended by the authors.
Anemometer: An instrument used to measure wind speed, wind pressure and determine wind direction (National Geographic, 2014).
Convective Clouds: A specific type of cloud that is often described as being "puffy" in it's shape. Convective clouds have an obvious perpendicular development and are generally dense, dark and detached (NASA Earth Observatory, 2014).
Cyclone Shelter: A confined, strong, windowless area that provides shelter for residents during a strong cyclone (Rawlinson, 2011).
Cyclone Warning: Issued to coastal communities when the onset of gales is expected within 24 hours or are already occuring (Bureau of Meteorology, 2014).
Cyclone Watch: Issued to coastal communities when the onset of gales is expected within 48 hours, but not 24 hours (Bureau of Meteorology, 2014).
Humidity: The amount of moisture in the air. (Merriam-Webster, 2014).
Low Pressure Storm System: Where warm air gradually rises from the Earth's surface. As the air rises, it cools and produces clouds which culminate together creating rain and strong winds (Commonwealth of Australia, 2014).
Monsoonal Trough: A region of low atmospheric pressure at sea level (Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2014).
Temperature Gradient: The change of temperature across a specified boundary or front (NC State University, 2013).
Torrential Rain: Rain that is considered especially heavy, has an abundant amount, has a fast on-set, or lasts for a long period of time (About.com Weather, 2014).
Tropical Cyclone: Low pressure systems that form over warm tropical waters and have gale force winds near the centre (sustained winds greater than 63km/h and gusts greater than 90km/h) and persisting for at least six hours (Bureau of Meteorology, 2014).
Tropical Low or Tropical Depression: A tropical disturbance with a clearly defined cyclonic wind circulation. A tropical low has a maximum 10-minute average wind speed of less than 63km/h near the centre (World Meteorological Organization, 2008).
Convective Clouds: A specific type of cloud that is often described as being "puffy" in it's shape. Convective clouds have an obvious perpendicular development and are generally dense, dark and detached (NASA Earth Observatory, 2014).
Cyclone Shelter: A confined, strong, windowless area that provides shelter for residents during a strong cyclone (Rawlinson, 2011).
Cyclone Warning: Issued to coastal communities when the onset of gales is expected within 24 hours or are already occuring (Bureau of Meteorology, 2014).
Cyclone Watch: Issued to coastal communities when the onset of gales is expected within 48 hours, but not 24 hours (Bureau of Meteorology, 2014).
Humidity: The amount of moisture in the air. (Merriam-Webster, 2014).
Low Pressure Storm System: Where warm air gradually rises from the Earth's surface. As the air rises, it cools and produces clouds which culminate together creating rain and strong winds (Commonwealth of Australia, 2014).
Monsoonal Trough: A region of low atmospheric pressure at sea level (Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2014).
Temperature Gradient: The change of temperature across a specified boundary or front (NC State University, 2013).
Torrential Rain: Rain that is considered especially heavy, has an abundant amount, has a fast on-set, or lasts for a long period of time (About.com Weather, 2014).
Tropical Cyclone: Low pressure systems that form over warm tropical waters and have gale force winds near the centre (sustained winds greater than 63km/h and gusts greater than 90km/h) and persisting for at least six hours (Bureau of Meteorology, 2014).
Tropical Low or Tropical Depression: A tropical disturbance with a clearly defined cyclonic wind circulation. A tropical low has a maximum 10-minute average wind speed of less than 63km/h near the centre (World Meteorological Organization, 2008).