Severe Thunderstorm Warning - One is issued when either a severe thunderstorm is indicated by the WSR-88D radar imagery or via spotter reports. In order for a thunderstorm to be considered severe one or more of the following parameters must be reached: quarter sized diameter hail or larger, 58 mph or greater winds, isolated tornadoes. When a severe thunderstorm approaches people in the affected area should seek shelter immediately.

Rain Gauge - An instrument used to measure the amount of rainfall that occurs over a specific site. A standard rain gauge can measure up to 8 inches. The first known device that was used for measuring rainfall was invented in Korea in 1441.

Typhoon - A tropical cyclone located in the Northwest Pacific Ocean that has sustained winds of 74 mph or greater. When a typhoon has sustained winds of 150 mph or greater it is called a super typhoon. A super typhoon is only 7 mph short of what would be called a category 5 hurricane if it were located in the Atlantic Ocean.

Hoar Frost - A deposit of interlocking ice crystals onto vegetation or any object that has a surface temperature below the dew point. If the surface of the object cools below the dew point, but not below freezing, dew will form instead. When there is ample moisture in the air, hoar frost can be so thick that it can sometimes look like snow.

Hygrometer - An instrument designed to measure the water vapor content and relative humidity in the atmosphere. Leonardo da Vinci built the first version of a hygrometer back in the 15th century.

Wall Cloud - A localized, persistent, often abrupt lowering from a rain-free base of a cumulonimbus cloud. The location of the wall cloud marks the location of a strong updraft feeding the storm. Therefore, many wall clouds exhibit rapid upward motion and sometimes rotation. However, not all wall clouds rotate. If the wall cloud is seen rotating, the formation of a tornado is possible.

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.