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

Microscale - Microscale meteorology is the study of small and/or short-lived atmospheric phenomenon. This study of small-scale weather systems includes tornadoes, rainbows, and thunderstorm updrafts and downdrafts.

Stratosphere - The atmospheric shell above the troposphere and below the mesosphere. This layer of the atmosphere starts at around 8 miles above the surface and extends to around 30 miles above the earth. 19% of the atmospheric gases on earth are found here. The earth's ozone layer is located in this layer of the atmosphere.

Roll Cloud - Also known as a shelf cloud. This cloud formation is seen when a solid line of thunderstorms approaches. These low hanging clouds cover the entire horizon and are seen as a cylindrically shaped and elongated cloud. They occur along the gust front of a line of storms as one can expect winds to increase noticeably as these clouds head through.

NCEP - NCEP stands for National Center for Environmental Prediction. This is a branch of the National Weather Service located in College Park, MD. NCEP is responsible for developing, running, and maintaining the main American computer models.

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.

Colorado Low - A low pressure system that forms in eastern Colorado or northeastern New Mexico. These types of lows typically track northeastward across the central Plains of the U.S. over a period of several days. Some of the strongest blizzards that occur during the winter season are oftentimes the result of a Colorado low.