L.A. SPEAK

A sampling of atmospheric argot courtesy of some L.A. meteorologists.

Alberta clipper n. A storm that originates around Alberta and races across the upper Midwest, generating snow from Wyoming to Michigan. “An Alberta clipper swept down in yesterday, causing severe snowstorms.”

bomb n. An unexpected weather development unforeseen, and unmentioned, by the meteorologist. “Monday’s storm was a real bomb .” v. to miss a weather development.

Catalina eddy n. Small low-pressure circulation over Catalina Island, formed by winds swirling around Redondo Beach and loops around the island, that deepens the morning marine fog layer.

chinook n. Warm wind that blows off the eastern Rockies and into the Plains. Syn. snow-eater. “The snow just disappeared today when a chinook rolled through.”

cutoff-low n. A bit of a larger system that unpredictably descends into lower geographical regions and causes various weather changes. “Last time a cutoff - low occurred, I bombed for three days.”

easterly wave n. A rare weather front that glides from east to west into Southern California, causing summertime thunderstorms.

gremlin n. Another name for a bomb.

jet max n. Small part of a larger jetstream that moves faster than the rest. “Whoa, look at that jet max fly!”

occlusion n. Turbulence formed when a speeding cold front hits a warm front.

toe-lapper n. Low-intensity surf. “We won’t get more than a toe-lapper today.”