Synoptic Scale - In meteorology this refers to the study of large scale systems that develop in the atmosphere. Major cyclones and their associated fronts are a commonly studied feature in synoptic meteorology. In order to be on the synoptic scale, a system must stretch across a distance of at least 600 miles.

Avalanche - A large mass of rapidly moving snow down a steep mountain slope. Most avalanches are triggered by the people that become victim to them. On average, around 150 people are killed by avalanches each year.

Bermuda high - A semi-permanent subtropical high over the North Atlantic. Can contribute to excessive heat and humidity in the southern and eastern US. The placement of this high is also the main steering force for hurricanes that develop in the Atlantic.

Doppler Effect - The shift in frequency that occurs when an object goes from moving towards an observer to away from an observer. Everyone has heard this when a police car drives by. As the police car is approaching, the siren will have a high pitch. Then when the police car begins moving away from you the pitch of the siren lowers. This effect is what weather radars use to calculate velocity.

Saffir-Simpson Scale - The scale that rates the strength of a hurricane based on its peak 1 minute sustained wind speeds. The scale goes from 1 to 5 with 5 being the strongest. When a tropical storm's wind speeds reach 74 mph or higher it becomes a category 1 hurricane. A category 5 hurricane has sustained winds of 157 mph or greater.

Mesosphere - The mesosphere is a layer of the Earth's atmosphere located at an altitude of 30 to 50 miles above the Earth's surface. It is the layer where most meteors burn up upon entering the atmosphere. Because of this, there is a high concentration of iron and other metals in the mesosphere.

Centrifugal Force - An apparent force that acts on an object moving in a curved path. Centrifugal force makes objects move outwards from their axis of rotation, making it appear that the object is being pulled outward. This force can be felt when taking a sharp turn in an automobile.