Noctilucent Clouds - These are a type of cloud that is extremely rare and found very high in the atmosphere. The base of these clouds is typically around 200,000 feet. They are seen as wavy, thin, bluish-white clouds and are best seen at twilight in polar latitudes. The word Noctilucent is derived from the latin word that means "night-shining.'

Cloudburst - A sudden, heavy rain shower that tends to be localized and of a brief duration. Most cloudbursts occur within thunderstorms.

Pluie - This is the french word for rain. To say, "it is raining today" one would say, "Il pleut aujourd'hui."

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.

Short waves - Relatively small, short-wavelength ripples that occur in the mid to upper levels of the atmosphere. These are basically small-scale troughs that can produce bands of precipitation as they induce upward vertical motions. Short waves tend to move quickly along the prevailing winds and are a common occurrence in the vicinity of a jet stream.

Cryosphere - This term refers collectively to the portions of the Earth where water is in solid form. This includes areas with snow cover, floating ice, glaciers, ice caps, ice sheets, along with areas of frozen ground. The area of the cryosphere shrinks during the summer season and then grows during the winter.

Rainbow - An arc of concentric colored bands formed by refraction that occurs when sunlight passes through raindrops. Anytime you see it raining while the sun is out, there will almost always be a rainbow. Just position yourself with your back to where the sun is shining and you will find it.