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Adaptive Expectations

Expectations based on the extrapolation of events in the recent past into the future

Adiabatic Process

A thermodynamic change of state of a system such that no heat or mass is transferred across the boundaries of the system. In an adiabatic process, expansion always results in cooling, and compression in warming.

Advection

The horizontal transport of air or atmospheric properties. Commonly used with temperatures, i.e., "warm air advection".

Adverse Selection

Principle that says that those who most want to buy insurance tend to be those most at risk, but charging a high price for insurance (to cover the high risk)will discourage those at less risk from buying insurance at all

Advisory

Advisories are issued for weather situations that cause significant inconveniences but do not meet warning criteria and, if caution is not exercised, could lead to life-threatening situations. Advisories are issued for significant events that are occurring, are imminent, or have a very high probability of occurrence.

Aerobic

A life or process that occurs in and is dependent upon oxygen. See methanotrophic, anaerobic.

Aerosol

Particulate matter, solid or liquid, larger than a molecule but small enough to remain suspended in the atmosphere. Natural sources include salt particles from sea spray, dust and clay particles as a result of weathering of rocks, both of which are carried upward by the wind. Aerosols can also originate as a result of human activities and are often considered pollutants. Aerosols are important in the atmosphere as nuclei for the condensation of water droplets and ice crystals, as participants in various chemical cycles, and as absorbers and scatters of solar radiation, thereby influencing the radiation budget of the Earth's climate system. See climate, particulate matter, sulfate aerosols.

Afforestations

Planting of new forests on lands that have not been recently forested.

AFOS

Automation of Field Operations and Services. Computer system linking NWS offices for the transmission of weather data.

Aggregate Demand Curve

A curve relating the total demand for the economy's goods and services at each price level, given the level of wages

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