This post explains a growing list of weather terms meteorologists now use to describe more extreme and unusual events as climate change alters how storms form and behave.
I summarize what each term means, why it matters to communities and infrastructure, and practical steps to stay safer when these phenomena strike.
Why new weather vocabulary matters
Meteorologists say climate change is fueling more extreme and unusual weather, and precise language helps emergency managers, journalists, and the public respond quickly.
Understanding terms like derecho, heat dome, and atmospheric river is no longer academic — these events have measurable impacts on health, agriculture, and public safety.
Common extreme-weather terms and what they mean
Below are concise definitions and key details for each term you’ll hear more often in forecasts and news reports.
Derecho — A long-lived, straight-line windstorm with gusts over 75 mph and damage paths stretching at least 250 miles.
These systems can snap trees, down power lines, and produce damage like a fast-moving tornado line.
Flash drought — Develops rapidly from low rainfall combined with high heat and wind, stressing crops, pastures, and ecosystems within weeks rather than months.
Flash droughts are particularly damaging to agriculture because impacts come faster than recovery or aid can be arranged.
Haboob — A massive dust storm, common in Arizona during monsoon season, capable of reducing visibility to near zero and creating hazardous driving conditions.
Haboobs also spread dust that can harm air quality and respiratory health.
Heat dome — Occurs when a strong high-pressure system traps hot air over a region for days or weeks.
The frequency of intense heat domes has roughly tripled over the past 50 years, increasing heat-related illnesses and energy demand.
Mudflow — More fluid than a landslide, a mudflow is a river of water, dirt, and debris that accelerates down slopes and channels.
These events kill dozens annually in the U.S. and can bury homes and roads in minutes.
Nor’easter — A coastal storm with strong northeast winds that can bring heavy snow or rain.
Recent years have seen increased intensity and coastal impacts, including flooding and erosion.
Pineapple Express — A type of atmospheric river that channels tropical moisture from near Hawaii to the U.S. West Coast.
It often causes intense rainfall, flooding, and mudslides in vulnerable watersheds.
Polar vortex — A large low-pressure system over the Arctic that sometimes weakens and sends frigid air south into the continental U.S.
This produces deep cold snaps and increased heating demand.
Scud clouds — Harmless, ragged cloud fragments that can mimic tornado appearance but lack rotation and destructive power.
Visual cues matter for spotting real tornadoes.
Snow squalls — Intense, short-duration bursts of heavy snow that create sudden whiteouts and hazardous travel conditions.
Weather whiplash — Rapid swings between extremes, such as drought to flood or bitter cold to intense heat.
This stresses infrastructure and ecosystems that can’t adapt quickly.
Wet-bulb temperature — A combined measure of heat and humidity that indicates how effectively the human body can cool itself by sweating.
Certain high wet-bulb values are deadly because they prevent heat dissipation.
What to do with this knowledge
Learning the terms is the first step; the second is preparation.
Communities should integrate these definitions into emergency plans and public messaging so warnings are clear and actionable.
Practical preparedness steps
Simple actions reduce risk when extreme weather hits:
Have an emergency kit with water, food, medicines, and a battery-powered radio.
Know evacuation routes and high-ground locations if you live in flood-, mudflow-, or coastal-storm-prone areas.
Monitor forecasts from trusted meteorological services. Follow official guidance during heat domes, derechos, or atmospheric river events.
Protect health during heat events by avoiding outdoor exertion. Use cooling centers and watch for signs of heat stress, especially in vulnerable populations.
Here is the source article for this story: 12 Lesser-Known Weather Terms You Need to Know—They May Hit Your Area This Year
