kn—Alternate abbreviation for knot. In meteorology,
the more frequently used abbreviation is "kt", but
this should not be confused with the uppercase
"KT" meaning kiloton.
L
LAPSE RATE—The decrease of an atmospheric
variable with height: the variable being
temperature unless otherwise specified.
LCD—Liquid crystal diode. A gray or black display of
numbers or shapes commonly used in electronics.
LITTORAL —The coastal zone including the beach to
the coastal waters.
LLWS—Low-level wind shear.
M
M-UNITS—A
unit
of
measurement
used
in
electromagnetic refractivity calculations-a
modification of N-Units.
MEGATON—(MT) A multiplication factor for
nuclear weapon yields. Each megaton is equal to
the explosive force of 1 million tons of
trinitrotoluene (TNT) explosive.
MET—U.S. Navy mobile environmental team.
METEOROLOGY—The study of phenomenon of the
atmosphere.
METVANS —USMC mobile meteorological vans.
Highly transportable, completely equipped
meteorological facilities constructed as complete
modules in cargo containers. Modules may be used
independently or connected to form complete, full-
spectrum, meteorological support facilities in a
forward deployed environment.
MHz—Megahertz, 1 million hertz.
MILS—An angular measurement scale in which 800
mils equals 45 degrees of arc; a circle is 6400 mils.
MMF—U.S. Marine Corps meteorological mobile
facility-weather personnel who operate USMC
Metvans.
MRS—Mini rawinsonde system.
MSL—Mean sea level, a suffix used after altitude
measurements.
MVFR—Marginal visual flight rules.
N
NATO—North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
NAVAID—An acronym for navigation aid, usually
referring to an aircraft navigation aid such as an
NDB, VOR, TACAN, VORTAC, or DME.
NAVMETOCCOM —Short
title
for
Naval
Meteorology and Oceanography Command
headquartered at the Stennis Space Center,
Mississippi.
NAVSAR—A GFMPL program used to help plan
rescue searches at sea.
NBC—An acronym for nuclear, biological, or
chemical.
NOAA—National
Oceanic
and
Atmospheric
Administration, a division of the U.S. Department
of Commerce.
NODDS—Navy
oceanographic
data
distribution
system.
NOMOGRAM—Any graphic product used to find
solutions to complex calculations without having to
perform the calculations.
NOTAM—Notice to airmen.
NTDS—Navy tactical data system.
NUC—An abbreviation for nuclear; used within some
NATO messages.
NWS—National weather service, a division of NOAA.
O
OA—Abbreviation for shipboard aviation operations
division, the shipboard division for which most
Aerographer’s Mates work.
OOD—Officer of the deck
P
PIBAL—An acronym for pilot balloon, a small balloon
tracked with a theodolite to determine wind
direction and speed.
PIREP—Abbreviation for pilot report.
Q
QFE—A signal used to indicate the value provided; the
station pressure.
AI-3
