Classification system of weather phenomena defined by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).
Overview
Weather Phenomena Types
Weather phenomena are classified into four main categories in the World Meteorological Organization's International Cloud Atlas: Hydrometeors, Lithometeors, Photometeors, and Electrometeors. These classifications systematically organize all atmospheric phenomena observed in the atmosphere and are widely used for weather observation, forecasting, and research. They include various weather phenomena closely related to our daily lives, such as precipitation, optical phenomena, and electrical phenomena.
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| code | slug | name | description | category |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| H-01 | rain | Rain | Precipitation in the form of liquid water droplets falling from the atmosphere. | Hydrometeor (Precipitation) |
| H-02 | snow | Snow | Precipitation in the form of white, soft ice crystals. | Hydrometeor (Precipitation) |
| H-03 | thunderstorm | Thunderstorm | Large-scale electrical discharge occurring within cumulonimbus clouds. | Electrometeor |
| H-04 | tornado | Tornado | A violently rotating column of air extending from a cumulonimbus cloud. | Wind Phenomenon |
| P-01 | rainbow | Rainbow | An optical phenomenon forming an arc caused by refraction and reflection of light in water droplets. | Photometeor (Atmospheric Optical Phenomenon) |
| P-02 | halo | Halo | A ring of light around the Sun or Moon caused by refraction and reflection of light in ice crystals. | Photometeor (Atmospheric Optical Phenomenon) |
| P-03 | mirage | Mirage | A phenomenon where objects appear distorted due to refraction of light by atmospheric temperature gradients. | Photometeor (Atmospheric Optical Phenomenon) |
| H-05 | hail | Hail | Precipitation in the form of ice pellets or lumps with diameter of 5mm or more. | Hydrometeor (Precipitation) |
| H-06 | fog | Fog | A phenomenon where visibility is reduced by tiny water droplets suspended in the atmosphere near the ground. | Hydrometeor (Suspension) |
| L-01 | haze | Haze | A visibility impairment phenomenon caused by fine particles in the atmosphere. | Lithometeor |