Lake Effect Snow - The driving force behind lake effect snow is arctic air moving over relatively warm lake water. When this occurs, moisture and warmth is transferred out of the lake and into the lower levels of the atmosphere. When the moistened air reaches the shore, the air rises, inducing bands of snow. Snowfall rates in heavier lake effect snow bands can be as high as 3-6 inches per hour, causing near white-out conditions.

Stationary Front - A nearly stationary narrow zone that marks the transition between contrasting air masses. These boundaries demarcate cool and warm air masses. Stationary fronts tend to lead to persistent bands of precipitation in their vicinity.

Acid Rain - Rain that has a pH lower than 5. Normally rain has a pH around 5.6. Acid rain occurs due to the presence of sulfuric and nitric acid. Coal burning power plants are the largest contributor to the formation of acid rain, which is toxic to aquatic environments.

Mesoscale - Mesoscale is the study of meteorology concerned with small scale weather systems that are from 6 to 60 miles in diameter. The discipline of mesoscale meteorology is focused on phenomenon such as thunderstorms, land or sea breezes, and downslope wind storms.

Knots - The unit meteorologists use to measure winds speeds. Knots are the common unit pilots and sailors use when gauging wind speeds. A knot is based on nautical miles rather than statute miles. A wind speed of 1 knot is equal to 1.15 mph.

Cap Cloud - A stationary stratiform cloud that forms directly above an isolated mountain peak. This type of cloud develops when moist air pushes against the mountain and is forced upward. As the air rises it eventually cools enough for the water vapor to condense and form a cloud.

Advection - The transfer of an atmospheric property by wind. The most common entities that meteorologists look at when diagnosing areas of advection are temperature and moisture.