N

NADIR

The point on any given observer's celestial sphere diametrically opposite of one's zenith.

NATIONAL CENTER FOR ATMOSPHERIC RESEARCH (NCAR)

A division of the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research, the Center plans, organizes, and conducts atmospheric and related research programs in collaboration with universities.

For further information, contact NCAR, located in Boulder, Colorado.

NATIONAL CENTERS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PREDICTION (NCEP)

As part of the National Weather Service, the centers provide timely, accurate, and continually improving worldwide forecast guidance products. Some of the centers include the Aviation Weather Center, the Climate Prediction Center, the Storm Prediction Center, and the Tropical Prediction Center. Formerly known as NMC.

For further information, contact the NCEP, with central offices located in Silver Spring, Maryland.

NATIONAL CLIMATIC DATA CENTER (NCDC)

The agency that archives climatic data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration as well as other climatological organizations.

For further information, contact the NCDC, located in Asheville, North Carolina.

NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER (NHC)

A branch of the Tropical Prediction Center, it is the office of the National Weather Service that is responsible for tracking and forecasting tropical cyclones over the North Atlantic, Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and the Eastern Pacific.

For further information, contact the NHC, located in Miami, Florida.

NATIONAL METEOROLOGICAL CENTER (NMC)

Now incorporated into the National Centers for Environmental Prediction, it was the division of the National Weather Service that produced, processed, handled, and distributed meteorological and oceanographic information to users throughout the Northern Hemisphere, specifically U.S. governmental organizations.

NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION (NOAA)

A branch of the U.S. Department of Commerce, it is the parent organization of the National Weather Service. It promotes global environmental stewardship, emphasizing atmospheric and marine resources.

For further information, contact NOAA, located in Silver Spring, Maryland.

NATIONAL SEVERE STORMS FORECAST CENTER (NSSFC)

As of October 1995, the responsibilities of this Center were divided into two branches, the Storm Prediction Center and the Aviation Weather Center.

NATIONAL SEVERE STORMS LABORATORY (NSSL)

A branch of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, it provides accurate and timely forecasts and warnings of hazardous weather events, especially flash floods, hail, lightning, tornadoes, and other severe wind storms.

For further information, contact the NSSL, headquartered in Norman, Oklahoma.

NATIONAL WEATHER ASSOCIATION (NWA)

An organization whose membership promotes excellence in operational meteorology and related activities, recognizing the professional as well as the volunteer.

For further information, contact the NWA.

Related term: American Meteorological Society

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE (NWS)

A primary branch of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, it is responsible for all aspects of observing and forecasting atmospheric conditions and their consequences, including severe weather and flood warnings.

For further information, contact the NWS.

NAUTICAL MILE

A unit of length used in marine navigation that is equal to a minute of arc of a great circle on a sphere. One international nautical mile is equivalent to 1,852 meters or 1.151 statue miles.

Related Term: sea mile

NAUTICAL TWILIGHT

The time after civil twilight, when the brighter stars used for celestial navigation have appeared and the horizon may still be seen. It ends when the center of the sun is 12 degrees below the horizon, and it is too difficult to perceive the horizon, preventing accurate sighting of stars.

Related term: twilight

NEAP TIDE

A tide of decreased range, which occurs about every two weeks when the moon is at one quarter or three-quarters full.

Related term: spring tide

NEGATIVE VORTICITY ADVECTION

The advection of lower values of vorticity into an area.

Related term: positive vorticity advection

NEPHELOCOCCYGIA

A term applied when people find familiar objects within the shape of a cloud.

NEWHALL WINDS

The local name for winds blowing downward from desert uplands through the Newhall Pass southward into the San Fernando Valley, north of Los Angeles.

NEWTON

The unit of force giving a mass of about one kilogram (2.205 pounds) an acceleration of about one meter (1 yard) per second per second.

NEXRAD

Acronym for NEXt Generation Weather RADar. A network of advanced Doppler radars implemented in the United States between 1992 and 1996, it detects the location and intensity of precipitation out to a range of 143 miles from the radar site. NEXRAD Doppler radar is highly sensitive and can detect precipitation from very light rain and snow up to the strongest thunderstorms with accuracy and detail. However, sometimes the radar's extreme sensitivity will cause ground clutter and other non-precipitation echoes to be displayed in the vicinity of the radar site.

NIGHT

The period of the day between dusk and dawn.

NIMBOSTRATUS

This cloud exhibits a combination of rain or snow, and sometimes the base of the cloud cannot be seen because of the heaviness of precipitation. They are generally associated with fall and winter conditions, but can occur during any season.

NITROGEN (N₂)

A colorless, tasteless, odorless gas that is the most abundant constituent of dry air. It comprises 78.09%.

NOCTILUCENT CLOUDS

Rarely seen clouds of tiny ice particles that form approximately 75 to 90 kilometers above the earth's surface. They have been seen only during twilight (dusk and dawn) during the summer months in the higher latitudes. They may appear bright against a dark night sky, with a blue-silver color or orange-red.

NOCTURNAL THUNDERSTORMS

Thunderstorms which develop after sunset. They are often associated with the strengthening of the low level jet and are most common over the Plains states. They also occur over warm water and may be associated with the seaward extent of the overnight land breeze.

NOR'EASTER

A cyclonic storm occurring off the east coast of North America. These winter weather events are notorious for producing heavy snow, rain, and tremendous waves that crash onto Atlantic beaches, often causing beach erosion and structural damage. Wind gusts associated with these storms can exceed hurricane force in intensity. A nor'easter gets its name from the continuously strong northeasterly winds blowing in from the ocean ahead of the storm and over the coastal areas.

Related term: Dave's Dictionary

NORMAL

The recognized standard value of a meteorological element as it has been averaged in a given location over a fixed number of years. Normals are concerned with the distribution of data within limits of common occurrence. The parameters may include temperatures (high, low, and deviation), pressure, precipitation (rain, snow, etc.), winds (speed and direction), thunderstorms, amount of clouds, percent relative humidity, etc.

NORTH PACIFIC HIGH

A semi-permanent, subtropical area of high pressure in the North Pacific Ocean. It is strongest in the Northern Hemispheric summer and is displaced towards the equator during the winter when the Aleutian Low becomes more dominate.

Related terms: Azores High and the Bermuda High

NOWCAST

A short-term weather forecast for expected conditions in the next few hours.

NUMERICAL FORECASTING

The use of numerical models, such as the fundamental equations of hydrodynamics subjected to observed initial conditions, to forecast the weather. These models are run on high-speed computers at the National Centers for Environmental Prediction.