NIMA—National imagery and mapping agency.
NOAA—National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration, a division of the U.S. Department
of Commerce.
NODDES—Naval oceanographic data distribution
expansion system (used with TESS).
NODDS—Navy oceanographic data distribution
system.
NOMOGRAM—Any graphic product used to find
solutions to complex calculations.
NOTAM—Notice to airmen.
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.
OAML—Oceanographic and atmospheric master
library.
OKTAS—Eighths of the sky.
OOD—Officer of the deck.
OPARS—Optimum path aircraft routing system.
P
PHEL—Physiological heat exposure limit.
PIBAL—An acronym for pilot balloon, a small balloon
tracked with a theodolite to determine wind
direction and speed.
PIREP—Abbreviation for pilot report.
PMSV—Pilot meteorological service, voice radio.
PREVAILING—The most frequent or most common.
PSYCHROMETER —Any device used to measure
dry--bulb temperature (air temperature) and wet--
bulb temperature.
Q
QFE—A signal used to indicate the value provided; the
station pressure.
QFF—A signal used to indicate the value provided; the
sea--level pressure.
QNH—A signal used to indicate the value provided;
the minimum altimeter setting for the period of time
discussed.
R
RABAL—A method using radar to track a balloon
carrying a radar—-reflector, and is used to determine
upper—-level winds.
RADAT—A term used to indicate freezing level
information derived from a radiosonde
observation.
RADFO—An acronym for radiological fallout.
RADIOSONDE —A device carried aloft by a balloon
to measure pressure, temperature, and humidity in
the atmosphere.
RAOB—Acronym for radiosonde observation.
RATT—Radio teletype.
RAWINSONDE —Radio--wind sounding. A device
carried aloft by a balloon that measures pressure,
temperature, humidity, and the slant—-range from
the release point. Calculations on the change in
pressure (height) and change in slant—-range
(distance) yield wind speed and direction.
RBC—Rotating beam ceilometer.
RH—Usual abbreviation for relative humidity.
ROCKETSONDE—A device carried aloft by a rocket
which measures pressure, temperature, and
humidity as it drifts on a parachute to the ground.
ROCOB—Acronym for rocketsonde observation.
S
SALINITY—A measurement of the amount of salts
dissolved in sea water.
SAR—Search and rescue.
SLUSH—A mixture of snow and liquid water on the
ground.
SMOOS—Shipboard meteorological oceanographic
observing system.
SSI—Showalter stability index.
SURFCAST —(or SURFCST) Acronym for surf
forecast.
SUROB—Acronym for surf observation.
SYNOPTIC—In general, pertaining to or affording an
overall view. In meteorology, this term has become
specialized in referring to the use of meteorological
AI-4
