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Random Weather Terminology Selections

1. Shortwave (or Shortwave Trough)
A disturbance in the mid or upper part of the atmosphere which induces upward motion ahead of it. If other conditions are favorable, the upward motion can contribute to thunderstorm development ahead of a shortwave.

2. Inversion
Generally, a departure from the usual increase or decrease in an atmospheric property with altitude. Specifically it almost always refers to a temperature inversion, i.e., an increase in temperature with height, or to the layer within which such an increase occurs. An inversion is present in the lower part of a cap.

3. Pendant Echo
Radar signature generally similar to a hook echo, except that the hook shape is not as well defined.

4. millibar
A pressure unit of 1000 dynes cm-2, often used for reporting atmospheric pressure where one millibar equals 1 hectopascal (hPA).

5. cumulonimbus
A vertically developed cumulus cloud, often capped by an anvil shaped cloud. Also called a thunderstorm cloud, it is frequently accompanied by heavy showers, lightning, thunder, and sometimes hail or gusty winds.