Computer Model - A system of computers which run complex physics equations on meteorological data to produce mathematical forecasts. Forecast models are first initialized with the current conditions in the atmosphere, and then thru a series of complex algorithms, they model what will be happening anywhere from 12 to 180 hours from the current time. There are several computer models that meteorologists utilize in predicting the weather.

RUC (Rapid Update Cycle) - An acronym for a forecast model called the Rapid Update Cycle. This American forecast model was developed at the National Centers for Environmental Prediction located in College Park, Maryland. This forecast model is a short term model that only runs out to 12 hours. In 2012, the RUC forecast model was phased out and replaced by the Rapid Refresh weather forecast model which is called the RAP.

Horse Latitudes - Areas of calm or light and variable winds located between 30 and 35 degrees north and south of the equator. This region's weather is influenced by converging air flows aloft from the tropics, thereby creating regions of high pressure at the surface. Hot and windless conditions can last for weeks at a time in the horse latitudes. When ships would travel to the New World, this region was known for creating delays in shipping that could create food and supply shortages for merchant ships.

Super-Typhoon - A tropical cyclone in the western Pacific basin that has one minute sustained wind speeds of a last 150 mph. This corresponds to what would be a category 4 or greater hurricane if the tropical cyclone were in the Atlantic or eastern Pacific.

Nautical Twilight - Is defined to begin in the morning, and to end in the evening, when the center of the sun is geometrically 12 degrees below the horizon. At the beginning or end of nautical twilight, under good atmospheric conditions and in the absence of other illumination, general outlines of ground objects may be distinguishable, but detailed outdoor activities are not possible. During nautical twilight the illumination level is such that the horizon is still visible, even on a Moonless night, thereby allowing mariners the ability to take reliable star sights for navigational purposes.

Magnetic Pole - Either of the two points on the Earth's surface at which magnetic meridians converge. The magnetic poles on Earth are located at the center of the north and south poles. Auroras are common at the poles due to the convergence of electrically charged particles there from the sun.

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.