Event data dictionary

Event Type element (EVENT_TYPE)

Acronym	Event type	Definition
ACC	Accidents	An unfortunate event, esp. one causing physical harm or damage, brought about unintentionally (cf. the details in section 3.1.1 - “Accident” event type)
ASA	Assistance to animals	An event in order to provide assistance to people threatened by animals or when animals are in danger (cf. the details in section 3.1.2 - “Assistance to animals” event type)
ASP	Assistance to persons	An event in which persons are involved without being in immediate danger (cf. the details in section 3.1.3 - “Assistance to persons” event type)
CRM	Criminal /offence incident	A violation of law (cf. the details in section 3.1.4 - “Criminal / Offence incident” event type)
DIS	Natural or man made disaster	(cf. the details in section 0 - “Natural or man-made disaster” event type)
FIR	Fire	A rapid, persistent chemical reaction that releases heat and light, especially the exothermic combination of a combustible substance with oxygen (cf. the details in section 3.1.6 - “Fires” event type)
GEW	Gas / Electricity / Water problems	(cf. the details in section 3.1.7 - “Gas / Electricity / Water problems” event type)
LAW	Law enforcement	(cf. the details in section 3.1.8 - “Law enforcement” event type)
OTH	Other	(cf. the details in section 3.1.9 - “Other” event type)
POL	Pollution	(cf. the details in section 3.1.10- “Pollution” event type)
POV	Political Violence	(cf. the details in section 3.1.11 - “Political violence” event type)
PRO	Properties protection	(cf. the details in section 3.1.12 - “Properties protection” event type)
RES	Rescue to victims	An event in which persons are in immediate danger (cf. the details in section 3.1.13 - “Rescue to victims” event type)
SAR	Search and reconnaissance	(cf. the details in section 3.1.14 - “Search and Reconnaissance” event type)
TER	Terrorism	The unlawful use or threatened use of force or violence against individuals or property in an attempt to coerce or intimidate governments or societies to achieve political, religious or ideological objectives (cf. the details in section 3.1.15 - “Terrorism” event type)

Figure - Hierarchy of the event types

“Accident” event type (ACC)

Acronym	ACC event type	Definition
ACCTRF	Accident, traffic	An accident involving at least one motor vehicle.(cf. the details in section 3.1.1.1 - “Traffic Accident” event type)
ACCWRK	Accident, workplace	An accident occurring at the workplace (cf. the details in section 3.1.1.2 - “Workplace Accident” event type)
RAILWY	Railway accident	An accident involving trains, tramways or underground vehicles (cf. the details in section 3.1.1.3 - “Railway Accident” event type)
AIRCRS	Aircraft crash	The unforeseen loss, destruction or damage of an aircraft (and personnel). (cf. the details in section 3.1.1.4 - “Aircraft Accident” event type)
EXPLOS	Explosion	A sudden release of any kind of energy. (cf. the details in section 3.1.1.5 - “Explosion Accident” event type)
MARRIV	Maritime / river accident	An accident which involves vessels (cf. the details in section 3.1.1.6 - “Maritime / River Accident” event type)

“Traffic Accident” event type (ACC/ACCTRF)

Acronym	ACC/ACCTRF event type	Definition
ACCBLK	Serious accident (victim blocked inside the vehicle)	A serious traffic accident involving at least one victim blocked in the vehicles
BUSACC	Bus or a coach accident	A traffic accident involving bus or coach vehicles
HGHWAY	Highway accident	A traffic accident on a highway or on a motorway (cf. the level 4 types at the end of this table)
LOSTCT	Lost content accident	A road blocked by the fallen content of a truck
METFUS	Metal in fusion accident	An accident involving a truck transporting metal in fusion
NOVICT	Traffic accident (without any victim)	A traffic accident with only damages to the vehicles
PEDEST	Pedestrian accident	A pedestrian hit by a vehicle in the traffic
RIVBNK	River bank accident	A traffic accident on a road close to a river
SERACC	Serious traffic accident	A serious traffic accident without any victim blocked in the vehicles
TWOWHE	Bicycle / motorbike Accident	An accident involving a 2-wheels vehicle
VEHBLK	Vehicle blocked	A vehicle blocking the traffic on the public domain
VEHWAT	Vehicle fallen in water	A road vehicle which felt in the water

“Highway Traffic Accident” event type (ACC/ACCTRF/HGHWAY)

Acronym	ACC/ACCTRF/ HGHWAY event type	Definition
INTRCH	Accident on a highway interchange	An accident on a highway interchange
MOTTUN	Accident on the motorway inside a tunnel	An accident on a highway or on a motorway inside a tunnel
NOVICT	Railway accident (without any victim)	A railway accident with only damages to the vehicles
RINGRD	Ring road accident	A traffic accident happening on the ring road (for large cities)
RNGTUN	Accident on the ring inside a tunnel	An accident on a ring road inside a tunnel (for large cities)

“Workplace Accident” event type (ACC/ACCWRK)

Acronym	ACC/ACCWRK event type	Definition
COADET	Company office deadly accident	Self described
COANDT	Company office accident (no death)	Self described
CSADET	Construction site deadly accident	Self described
CSANDT	Construction site accident (no death)	Self described

“Railway Accident” event type (ACC/RAILWY)

Acronym	ACC/RAILWY event type	Definition
RAILBL	Vehicle stopped on a railway	An accident involving a vehicle blocking the railway traffic
RAILWO	Outside railway accident	Railway or underground accident located outside (not inside a tunnel)
TRAMWY	Tramway accident	Tramway accident

“Aircraft Accident” event type (ACC/AIRCRS)

Acronym	ACC/AIRCRS event type	Definition
BLYLND	Belly landing	An aircraft has landed without using the landing gear.
FRCLND	Forced landing	An aircraft that by hostile act, or lack of vital resources is compelled to land.
NOVICT	Aircraft accident (without any victim)	An aircraft accident with only damages to the vehicles
SPACAC	Space accident	The unforeseen loss, destruction or damage of a spacecraft.

“Explosion Accident” event type (ACC/EXPLOS)

Acronym	ACC/EXPLOS event type	Definition
ACCMNE	Accident, mine	An accident involving unexploded ordnance.
ACCWPN	Accident, weapon	An accident involving a weapon.
BMBACC	Bombing, accidental	An unfortunate bombing incident that happens unexpectedly and unintentionally.
INDCOM	Explosion, commercial place	An explosion which happens in a commercial or industrial area
PRVARE	Explosion, private place	An explosion which happens inside a private area
PUBARE	Explosion, public place	An explosion which happens in a public area
VEHICL	Explosion in a vehicle	An explosion which implies vehicles

“Maritime / River Accident” event type (ACC/MARRIV)

Acronym

ACC/MARRIV

event type

Definition

DRIFTIN

Drifting vessel

Self defined

SINKIN

Vessel sinking

The unforeseen loss, damage or destruction of a vessel by submersion

“Assistance to animals” event type (ASA)

Acronym	ASA event type	Definition
ANICAP	Animal capture	Capture of dangerous animal (domesticated or not)
ANIDIF	Animal in difficulty	Self defined
ANILAW	Infringement with the legislation on animals	Self defined
BEEWAS	Bee, Wasps	Wasps' nest or swarm of bees
LOSSDI	Loss/ disappearance of animal	Self defined

“Assistance to persons” event type (ASP)

Acronym	ASP event type	Definition
ACCDEA	Accidental death	Discovery of a person whose death seems due to an accident
DOROPN	Opening of door	Urgent opening of private gates (doors, windows, etc.) due to a potential danger (for example if there is food on fire inside the house)
DTHNAT	Death, natural causes	Normal termination of life.
HOMLES	Assistance to homeless	Self defined
ILLNES	Illness	Self defined (cf. the details in section 3.1.3.1 - “Illness / Assistance to persons” event type)
INSANE	Insane person control	Need to control the behaviour of an insane person
LIFTBL	Person blocked in a lift	Self defined
LOSSOF	Loss of official documents	Self defined
NERBRK	Nervous breakdown	Self defined
NOVOIC	No voice call	Call coming from a voice handicapped person
OBJFOU	Found object	Self defined
PERSON	Person in difficulty	Self defined
PREGNA	Assistance to pregnant woman	Self defined
ROOMBL	Person locked up in a room	Self defined
SUSDEA	Suspect death	Discovery of a person whose death seems suspect
TRNOUT	Train evacuation (outside)	Assistance during evacuation of train in an outside portion
TRNTUN	Train evacuation (tunnel)	Assistance during the evacuation of a train or of a metro inside a tunnel portion
VIOLCO	Violent confrontation	Violent confrontation of people (cf. the details in section 3.1.3.2 - “Violent confrontation / Assistance to persons” event type)

“Illness / Assistance to persons” event type (ASP/ILLNES)

Acronym	ASP/ ILLNES event type	Definition
ILLHOM	Illness (at home)	Self defined
ILLPUB	Illness (in a public place)	Self defined

“Violent confrontation / Assistance to persons” event type (ASP/VIOLCO)

Acronym	ASP/ VIOLCO event type	Definition
BRAWLS	Brawl on public area	Violent confrontation on the public area
CHILCA	Children care	Disagreement between parents for deciding who is in charge of taking care of the children
COMMER	Commercial disagreement	Confrontation between commercial partners
COUPLE	Couple brawls	Violent confrontation between husband and wife, boyfriend and girlfriend, etc.
FAMILY	Family brawls	Violent confrontation between persons in the same family
HOMDIS	Home abandon	Event of a person who disappears from his home
MISSIG	Missing individual	The absence of a person from an expected or anticipated location.
NEIGHB	Neighbourhood disagreement	Confrontation between neighbours
PROFESS	Professional disagreement	Confrontation between co-workers
ROADBR	Road users brawl	Violent confrontation between drivers

“Criminal / Offence incident” event type (CRM)

Acronym	CRM event type	Definition
AGGASS	Aggravated assault	Self defined
ASSNTN	Assassination	Murder of a prominent person.
BCILGL	Border crossing, illegal	A border crossing that is forbidden by law.
CIVDMI	Civil demonstration, illegal	A public meeting or march illegally expressing protest or other opinion on an issue.
DEPORT	Massive deportation / banishment	The driving out or removing from a home or place of usual resort or continuance of a large number of people.
DRUGS	Infringement with the legislation on drugs	Cf. the details in section 3.1.4.1 - “ Drugs / Criminal incident” event type
DRVSHT	Drive-by shooting	No definition given
ELCVIO	Election associated violence	The occurrence of violent acts due to an election process.
ESCPNG	Escaping	Breaking free from a restriction or control of a place, person, or organisation.
EXECTN	Execution	Putting a person to death, especially as a legal penalty.
HIJACK	Hijacking	Seizure of a vehicle (e.g., an aircraft) in order to go somewhere other than the scheduled destination.
HSTTKN	Hostage taking	Action to seize or hold a person as security for the fulfilment of a condition.
INDESP	Industrial espionage incident	The practice of spying or the use of spies to obtain information about the plans and activities of competitors.
INFSTA	Infringement with the legislation on the stay in the country	Self defined
INSPUB	Insults and / or threat against a public officer	Self defined
INSTHR	Insults and / or threats	Self defined
INTMDN	Intimidation	Act to frighten or overawe.
KIDNAP	Kidnapping	Seizing and holding a person unlawfully, usually for ransom or political gain.
LABLAW	Infringement with the legislation on labour	Self defined
LABSTR	Labour strike	The organised refusal by employees to work until some grievance is remedied.
LTRBME	Letter bomb explosion	The explosion of a seemingly harmless letter or parcel.
LTRBMI	Letter bomb incident	The detection of a seemingly harmless letter or parcel.
MASFOR	Massing of forces	The concentration of large quantities of military equipment and personnel.
MURDER	Attempted murder	The attempted act of unlawfully killing of one human being by another, especially with premeditated malice.
MURDER	Murder	The unlawful killing of one human being by another, especially with premeditated malice.
PCKTNG	Picketing	An act by a person or persons outside a place of work, intending to persuade esp. workers not to enter during a strike.
POISON	Poisoning	Injuring or killing with toxic agents.
POLDEM	Political demonstration	A public display of group feelings towards a political idea, person or cause.
PRVDEG	Private belongings degradation	Self defined
PUBDEG	Public furniture degradation	Self defined
RELDEM	Religious demonstration	A public display of group feelings towards a religious idea, person or cause.
RELVIO	Religious violence	Individual or organised act directed against groups or individuals because of their religious beliefs.
RELWAR	Religious warfare	An act of open armed conflict due to a difference of religious belief between two separate groups.
RIOT	Riot	A disturbance of the peace by a crowd; an occurrence of public disorder.
ROADOF	Road offence	Self defined
ROBERY	Robbery	The action of robbing a person or place. Cf. the details in section 3.1.4.2 - “Robbery / Criminal incident” event type
SALPUB	Forbidden sales on the public domain	Self defined
SEXCAS	Sex cases	Self defined (cf. the details in section 3.1.4.3 - “ Sex cases / Criminal incident” event type)
SPYING	Spying	Observe furtively as an agent of a foreign power or competitor.
STRIKE	Strike	The organised refusal by employees to work until some grievance is remedied.
TAGGIN	Tags	Self defined
TRBMAK	Troublemaking	Self defined (cf. the details in section 3.1.4.4 - “ Troublemaking / Criminal incident” event type)
UXODSC	UXO discovery	The detection of the presence of unexploded explosive ordnance.
VANDAL	Vandalism / Rape / Loot / Ransack / Plunder / Sack	No definition given
VEHDEG	Vehicle degradation	Self defined
WAEDET	Infringement with the legislation on weapon detention	Self defined
WRKTRD	Infringement with the legislation on some specific trade /work	Self defined

“ Drugs / Criminal incident” event type (CRM/DRUGS)

Acronym	CRM/ DRUGS event type	Definition
DRGCNS	Drug consumption, illegal	An action of consuming illegal drugs.
DRGDST	Drug distribution, illegal	An action to distribute illegal drugs or to illegally distribute legal drugs.
DRGMNF	Drug manufacturing, illegal	An action to manufacture illegal drugs or to illegally manufacture legal drugs.
DRGOPR	Drug operation	No definition given
DRGSTR	Drug storage, illegal	An action to store illegal drugs or to illegally store legal drugs.
DRGTRN	Drug transportation, illegal	An action to transport illegal drugs or to illegally transport legal drugs.

“Robbery / Criminal incident” event type (CRM/ROBERY)

Acronym	CRM/ROBERY event type	Definition
ARMRB	Armed Robbery	Self defined
ATRBRY	Attempted robbery	The attempted act of robbing a person or place.
BURGL	Burglary	Self defined
PICKPO	Pick-pocketing	Self defined
PRKVEH	Theft from a parked vehicle	Self defined
SHOPLF	Shop lifting	Self defined
STLBIK	Discovery of stolen motorcycle / motorbike	Self defined
STLCAR	Discovery of stolen car / truck	Self defined
VEHRBR	Vehicle robbery	Self defined
VIOLEN	Robbery with violence	Self defined

“ Sex cases / Criminal incident” event type (CRM/SEXCAS)

Acronym	CRM/SEXCAS event type	Definition
ATRAPE	Attempted rape	The attempted act of forcing another person to submit to sexual intercourse.
PROSTI	Prostitution	Self defined
RAPE	Rape	The act of forcing another person to submit to sexual intercourse.
SEXEXH	Sexual exhibition	Self defined

“ Troublemaking / Criminal incident” event type (CRM/TRBMAK)

Acronym	CRM/TRBMAK event type	Definition
BANGER	Firecracker / banger throwing	Self defined
DRUNKN	Public drunkenness	Self defined
INCLET	Incendiary material throwing	Self defined
NOMPAR	Nomad people forbidden parking	Self defined
PROLET	Projectile throwing	Self defined
TRBAGT	Troublemaking, agitating	Stirring up of public interest on a matter of controversy, such as a political or social issue.
TRBBLL	Troublemaking, bullying	Intimidating by the use of superior size or strength.
TRBDAY	Daily troublemaking	Self defined
TRBHAR	Troublemaking, harassing	Persecuting systematically by besetting with annoyances, threats or demands.
TRBHLG	Troublemaking, hooliganism	Causing difficulties by the actions of hoodlums, especially young ruffians.
TRBHYG	Troubles to hygiene and healthiness	Self defined
TRBINC	Troublemaking, inciting	Provoking to action, stirring up or urging on.
TRBINT	Troublemaking, intimidating	Discouraging or inhibiting by or as if by threats.
TRBNIG	Nightly troublemaking	Self defined
TRBRAV	Unauthorised rave parties	Self defined
TRSPRT	Transportation infringement	Self defined
VEHFIN	Infringement to vehicle parking (fine)	Self defined
VEHPOU	Infringement to vehicle parking (pound)	Self defined
VEHPUB	Vehicle abandoned on the public domain	Self defined
WPNFIR	Weapon firing	The firing of weapons.

“Natural or man-made disaster” event type (DIS)

Acronym	DIS event type	Definition
EPEDEM	Epidemic	A widespread occurrence of a disease in a community at a particular time.
FAMINE	Famine	An extreme scarcity of food.
GENOCD	Genocide	The deliberated and systematic destruction of a racial, political or cultural group.
HRVIOL	Human rights violation	The commitment of an act against human rights.
NATDIS	Natural disaster	The damage caused by force of nature
NBC	NBC event	An event that involves biological, chemical or nuclear agents individually or in combination.

"Natural disaster / Natural or man-made disaster” event type (DIS/NATDIS)

Acronym	DIS/ NATDIS event type	Definition
DROUGH	Drought	A prolonged or chronic shortage of water.
EARTHQ	Earthquake	A convulsion of the earth’s crust due to the release of accumulated stress as a result of faults in strata or volcanic action.
FLOOD	Flood	The overflowing of a body of water onto dry land.
LNDSLD	Landslide	Self defined
STORM	Storm / cyclone / Hurricane	Self defined
TSUNAM	Tsunami / tidal wave	Self defined
VOLCAN	Volcanic eruption	The release of lava or steam by a volcano.

“Fires” event type (FIR)

Acronym	FIR event type	Definition
ALARMF	Fire alarm	Alert coming from an automatic fire alarm system
BOATFI	Boat fire	Self defined
BUSHFI	Bush fire	Self defined
EXPLOS	Fire after an explosion	Fire starting from an explosion
EXTING	Extinguished fire	Restart of an extinguished fire
FIRCOM	Call from a security company	Alarm coming from a specialised surveillance / security company
FIRPLC	Fireplace fire	Self defined
FOREST	Forest fire	Self defined
GARBAG	Garbage fire	On the public area
GASFIR	Gas fire	Gas leak in fire
HIGWAY	Highway fire	Self defined
HOMFIR	Home fire	Fire inside a private home
INDFIR	Commercial area fire	Fire inside a commercial or industrial area
INTRCH	Fire on a highway interchange	A fire on a highway interchange
PUBFIR	Public building fire	Fire inside a governmental / city building or area
RAILAE	Railway fire (aerial section)	Fire in the underground, a tramway, a train on an aerial section
RAILOU	Railway fire (outside)	Fire in the underground, a tramway, a train outside
RAILUN	Railway fire (underground)	Fire in the underground, a tramway, a train in a tunnel, in an underground station, etc.
RGROFI	Ring road fire	Self defined
RIVERS	Riverside fire	Self defined
RKTFIR	Rocket fire	Self defined
UNDERG	Underground fire	Fire or explosion under the ground
VEHICL	Vehicle fire	Self defined

“Gas / Electricity / Water problems” event type (GEW)

Acronym	GEW event type	Definition
AIRLEA	Compressed air leak	Self defined
ELCCCT	Electrical court-circuit	Self defined
ELCWIR	Electrical wires on the public area	Self defined
FLOOD	Flood	Self defined
GASDGR	Dangerous gas in a building	Self defined
GASLEA	Gas leak	Self defined
HOMFLO	Home flood	Self defined
PETLEA	Petrol leak in a building	Self defined
VEHALR	Vehicle alarm	Self defined
WATLEA	Water leak	Self defined

“Law enforcement” event type (LAW)

Acronym	LAW event type	Definition
ARRLGL	Arresting, legal	Seizing and detaining of a person under authority of the law.
BCFRCD	Border crossing, forced	A border crossing that is conducted under pressure.
CIVDML	Civil demonstration, legal	A public meeting or march legally expressing protest or other opinion on an issue.
CNRDSV	Conducting road service	Enabling the movement of a number of specific units.
ESCRTN	Escorting	Accompanying and protecting another force or convoy.
MARLAW	Martial law implementation	Giving practical effect to military law, usually by restricting the rights of citizens for security reasons.

“Other” event type (OTH)

Acronym	OTH event type	Definition
CEREMN	Ceremony or parade	The formal gathering of a group of people in order to carry out an act or series of acts prescribed by ritual protocol or convention.
CNDCNF	Conducting conference	Conducting a meeting for discussion, esp. a regular one held by an association or organisation.
CNDMED	Conducting media interview	Conducting a conversation between a reporter etc. and a person of public interest, used as a basis of a broadcast or publication.
CNDRCR	Conducting recreational activities	Conducting a refreshing or entertaining activity.
CNDSCL	Conducting social events	Conducting any social gathering, esp. one organised by a club or congregation.
CNDSPT	Conducting sporting events	Conducting any game or competitive activity, especially an outdoor one involving physical exertion, e.g. cricket, football, racing, hunting.
OTHER	Other
POWEXC	Prisoner exchange	The act of giving or taking POWs in return for others.

“Pollution” event type (POL)

Acronym	POL event type	Definition
ATMPOL	Atmospheric pollution	Contamination of the atmosphere caused by a poison or toxin.
CHEMIC	Chemical pollution	Self defined
PETSPL	Petroleum product spills	The accidental or delivered release of any petroleum product into the environment.
RADIOL	Radiological pollution	Self defined
RIVERP	River pollution	Self defined
RUBISH	Deposit of rubbish	Self defined
SEWERP	Sewer pollution	Self defined
WATPOL	Water area pollution	Self defined

“Political violence” event type (POV)

Acronym	POV event type	Definition
CIVWAR	Civil war	A war among fellow-citizens or within the limits of one community.
COUPDE	Coup d’etat	A violent or illegal seizure of power.
INVASI	Invasion	The act of taking possession of another land.
RACIAL	Outbreak of racial / tribal / ethnic warfare	The use of force or violence by or against racial or tribal groups.
REVOLU	Revolution	The overthrow or renunciation of one government or ruler and the substitution of another by the governed.
SECCOU	Secession of portion of country.	The formal withdrawal of a portion of a country.
TORTUR	Torture	An action or practice of inflicting severe pain as a punishment or a forcible means of persuasion.
TREVIO	Treaty violation	An infringement or breaking of the provisions of a formal agreement.
WARALE	War / crisis alert	The state of readiness caused by the possibility of a war.

“Properties protection” event type (PRO)

Acronym	PRO event type	Definition
AFFAIS	Depression on a public area	Self defined
ALRBNK	Alarm in a bank	Self defined
ALRCRT	Alarm in a court of justice	Self defined
ALRGOV	Alarm in a government office	Self defined
ALRPOL	Alarm in a police office	Self defined
ALRPOS	Alarm in a post office	Self defined
ALRPRS	Alarm in a prison	Self defined
ALRPRV	Alarm in a private property	Self defined
ALRREV	Alarm in a public revenue office	Self defined
ALRSRV	Alarm in a property from a surveillance company	Self defined
CRUMBL	Crumbling, collapse	Self defined
DGRBUI	Dangerous building	Self defined
DGRCRN	Dangerous crane	Self defined
DGRPUB	Dangerous product on the public area	Self defined
DGRTRE	Dangerous tree	Self defined
GASCAR	Gasoline leak from a vehicle	Self defined
GASOLI	Gasoline or other liquid on the public area	Self defined
HEATIN	Heating installation overheating	Self defined

“Rescue to victims” event type (RES)

Acronym	RES event type	Definition
ATSCDE	Attempted suicide	The attempted act of killing oneself intentionally.
BLKUDR	Person under one underground vehicle	Self defined
BURIED	Buried person	Self defined
DEACST	Death of chief of state	Self-defined.
DEASPL	Death of spiritual leader	Self-defined.
DECOMP	Assistance to an injured person in a decompression environment	Self defined
DISEAS	Disease	A disorder of structure or function in a human, animal, or plant, especially one that produces specific symptoms or that affects a specific part.
DROWND	Drowned person (not in a river / lake /sea)	Self defined
DROWRV	Drowned person in a river / lake /sea	Self defined
ELECTR	Electrocuted person	Self defined
ELVBLK	Person blocked in an elevator cabin	Self defined
ELVSHT	Fallen person in an elevator shaft	Self defined
EVACTN	Evacuating	Clearing or removing materiel and personnel from a given locality.
HANGED	Hanged person	Self defined
MEDEVC	Medical evacuation	The process of moving any person who is wounded, injured or ill to / between medical treatment facilities.
MEDPRD	Medicine product intoxication	Self defined
PERDGR	Person in immediate danger	Self defined
PERFAL	Fallen person	Person who felt from a high position
PERHBR	Highly burnt person	Self defined
PERINJ	Injured person	Self defined
PERLBR	Lightly burnt person	Self defined
PERVIT	Person in vital danger	Self defined
REFMVM	Refugee movement	The movement of people who has been forced to leave their country in order to escape war, persecution, or natural disaster.
SUICDE	Suicide	The action of killing oneself intentionally.

“Search and Reconnaissance” event type (SAR)

Acronym	SAR event type	Definition
18RRES	Under 18 person run-away person research	Self defined
ADURES	Adult person research	Self defined
BOMBAL	Bomb alert	The event of someone discovering or alerting that a bomb may explode somewhere
EXPLOS	Explosive	Self defined
INSRES	Insane person research	Self defined
OLDRES	Older person research	Self defined
PRIRES	Prisoner research	Self defined
RESDIS	Researched person discovery	Self defined
SPCLIG	Suspect light	Self defined
SPCNOI	Suspect noise	Self defined
SPCOBJ	Suspect object	Self defined
SPCSMK	Suspect smoke	Self defined
SPCSML	Suspect smell	Self defined
U18RES	Under 18 person research	Cf. also the 18RRES type for know run-away persons.

“Terrorism” event type (TER)

Acronym	TER event type	Definition
AERSHO	Aerial shoot down	The deliberate destruction of an aircraft
AMBUSH	Ambush	A surprise attack by fire or other destructive means e.g. improvised devices (petrol bomb etc) from concealed positions on a moving or temporarily halted force or group of personnel.
ARMPRD	Arms production	An activity of, relating to or based on the production of arms.
ARMTRD	Arms trade	A happening of selling or buying arms.
BMBDLB	Bombing, deliberate	A deliberate and intentional bombing incident.
BORRAI	Border raid	A surprise attack by a force or a group of people across a national or territorial border (restricted to 25 km from the border).
BREACH	Breaching	Breaking through or securing a passage through an enemy defence, obstacle, minefield, or fortification.
DLBATK	Attack, deliberate	Conducting an offensive operation characterised by pre-planned coordinated employment of firepower and manoeuvre to close with and destroy or capture the enemy.
PRXBMB	Proxy-Bombing	A deliberate and intentional bombing incident that happens unexpectedly where the perpetrator acts through a representative.
SHOTNG	Shooting	The act of firing of a weapon, usually at a person.
SNPATK	Sniper attack	An attack by one who shoots at others from a concealed place.

Source element (SOURCE)

Acronym	Origin	Definition
COMFOR	Computer, forecast	The event is forecasted by a computer
HUMDED	Human, deducted	The event is not observed, by is deducted or forecasted from other information by a human person
HUMOBS	Human, observed	The event is reported by a human person
SENSOR	Sensor	The event is reported by an automated sensor (pressure, water flow or level, seismic sensor, etc.)

Severity element (SEVERITY)

Acronym		Definition
EXTREM	Extreme	Extraordinary threat to life / property
MINOR	Minor	Minimal threat to life or property
MODERT	Moderate	Possible threat to life or property
SEVERE	Severe	Significant threat to life or property
UNKNWN	Unknown	Severity unknown

Status element (STATUS)

Acronym	Event status	Definition
COM	Complete	The event is completed
IPR IPRXX	In progress	The event has started and is still active. Optionally 2 digits can be appended in order to provide the percentage of the task accomplishment (IPR75 means accomplished at 75%)
NST	Not started	The event has not started, but is foreseen in the near future
OBS	Observed	The event seems to be finished, but is still observed in order to avoid a new start
PAU	Paused	The event is temporarily halted for an unspecified period of time

Geo / Description element (GEO\DESCRIPTION)

Acronym	Item description
AIR	Aerial items (cf. the details in section 3.5.1 - Aerial items)
CMB	Combat-related items (cf. the details in section 3.5.2 - Combat-related items)
DGR	Polluted / dangerous items (cf. the details in section 3.5.3- -Polluted / dangerous items)
GEN	General purpose items (cf. the details in section 3.5.4 - General purpose items)
MIL	Military specific items (cf. the details in section 6 - Annex: the list of GEO/MIL/ DESCRIPTION element)

Aerial items (AIR)

Acronym	Item description	Definition
AIRCAR	Airspace control area	Airspace which is laterally defined by boundaries of the area of operations.
AIRCOR	Air corridor	A restricted air route to travel; specified for use by friendly aircraft to prevent fratricide. Note The Air Corridor is punctuated with Air Control Points (ACPs) at the appropriate places.
AIRCTP	Air control point	A geographical point that is generally designated at each point where the flight route or air corridor makes a definite change in direction and any other point deemed necessary for timing or control of the operation. NOTE: It is chosen as an easily identifiable point location on the terrain or an electronic navigational aid used to provide necessary control during air movement.
AIRWAY	Airway	A control area or portion thereof established in the form of a corridor equipped with radio navigational aids.
APRCOR	Approach corridor	Airspace established for the safe passage of land based aircraft joining or departing a maritime force.
ARFLDZ	Airfield zone	No definition given
ARNVRT	Area navigation route	An air traffic services route established for the use of aircraft capable of employing area navigation.
FLTPTH	Flight path	The line connecting the successive positions occupied, or to be occupied, by an aircraft, missile or space vehicle as it moves through air or space.
LZ	Landing zone	Airspace set aside specifically for airlift landing operations.
NOFLZN	No fly zone	Airspace of specific dimensions set aside for a specific purpose in which no aircraft operations are permitted, except as authorized by the appropriate commander and controlling agency.
ORBTPT	Orbit point	A geographically or electronically defined location used in stationing aircraft in flight during tactical operations when a predetermined pattern is not established.
PZ	Pickup zone	An area location used to pick up troops and/or equipment by helicopter.
UAVASP	Unmanned aerial vehicle airspace	Airspace created specifically for unmanned aerial vehicle operations.
UNMVRT	Unmanned aerial vehicle route	A route along which an unmanned aerial vehicle travels.

Combat-related items (CMB)

Acronym	Item description	Definition
ATTPOS	Attack position	The last position occupied or passed through by the assault echelon before crossing the line of departure (LD).
CZ	Combat zone	An area location that denotes the area required by combat forces for the conduct of operations.
DNGRAR	Danger area	An airspace of defined dimensions within which activities dangerous may exist at specified times.
EA	Engagement area	An area where the commander intends to contain and destroy an enemy force with the massed fires of all available weapons.
EXTZON	Extraction zone	A specified drop zone used for the delivery of equipment and/or supplies by means of an extraction technique from an aircraft flying very close to the ground.
IMPTPT	Impact point	The point at which a projectile, bomb or re-entry vehicle strikes on earth.
INITPT	Initial point	A well-defined point, easily distinguishable visually and/or electronically, used as a starting point for a weapons or reconnaissance run on a target.
MNBTAR	Main battle area	That portion of the battle space in which the decisive battle is fought to defeat the enemy. For any particular command, the main battle area extends rearward from the forward edge of the battle area to the rear boundary of the command’s subordinate units.
NFL	No fire line	A line short of which artillery or ships do not fire except on request or approval of the supported commander, but beyond which they may fire at any time without danger to friendly troops.
NFRARE	No fire area	An area in which no fires or effects of fires are allowed. Two exceptions are (1) when establishing headquarters approves fires temporarily within the NFA on a mission basis, and (2) when the enemy force within the NFA engages a friendly force, the commander may engage the enemy to defend his force.
TMMRRT	Temporary minimum risk route	A temporary route established to route air traffic between transit routes or the rear boundary of the forward area and their operations area in direct support of ground operations.

Polluted / dangerous items (DGR)

Acronym	Item description	Definition
BIOCTM	Biologically contaminated area	An area in which the employment of biological agents may produce casualties in man or animals and damage to plants or materiel.
BOMBAR	Bomb area	No definition given
CHMCTM	Chemically contaminated area	No definition given
HAZARD	Hazard area	The predicted area in which unprotected personnel may be affected by the release of a hazardous material spreading from its point of release.
MINDAR	Mined area	No definition given
NBCAHA	NBC attack and hazard area	The predicted or confirmed contour of the NBC hazard area.
NBCRSD	NBC reading / sample / detection	The point at which a reading, sample or detection of an NBC contaminant is performed.
NGA	No go area	An area that is not trafficable.
NGACIV	No go area, civil	An area to which access is denied by civil authority or group of people (e.g. faction, gang, militia).
NUCCNL	Nuclear dose rate contour line	The contour line at which a Nuclear radiation dose rate is predicted or confirmed.
OBSGEN	Obstacle, general	A control measure used to indicate the presence of an actual or potential obstacle.
PRHBAR	Prohibited area	An airspace of defined dimensions, above the land areas or territorial waters of a state within which the presence is prohibited.
RADARE	Radioactive area	An area in which the employment of radioactive materials or radiation producing devices to cause casualties or restrict the use of terrain.
RADCLD	Radar determined contour of radioactive cloud	The contour line is a radioactive cloud.
RSTRAR	Restricted area	An airspace of defined dimensions, above the land areas or territorial waters of a state, within which the presence is restricted in accordance with certain specified conditions.
SGA	Slow go area	An area that is trafficable with difficulty.
SITKIL	Site of alleged kills	A point or area where alleged kills have occurred.
TMSGAR	Temporary segregated area	An airspace of defined dimensions within which activities require the reservation of airspace for the exclusive use of specific users during a determined period of time.
UNEXOD	Un-exploded ordnance area	An area location where an explosive ordnance that has been primed, fused, armed, or otherwise prepared for action, and which has been fired, dropped, launched, or placed in such a manner as to constitute a hazard to operations, installations, personnel, or material, and remains unexploded either by malfunction or for any other cause.

General purpose items (GEN)

Acronym	Item description	Definition
ALRTAR	Alert area	Airspace which may contain a high volume of pilot training activities or an unusual type of aerial activity, neither of which is hazardous to aircraft.
AOI	Area of interest	An area of concern to the commander, including the area of influence, and extending into enemy territory to the objectives of current or planned operations. This area also includes areas occupied by enemy forces that could jeopardise the accomplishment of the mission.
AOP	Area of operations	That portion of an area necessary for military operations and for the administration of such operations. Army—A geographical area, usually defined by lateral, forward, and rear boundaries assigned to a commander, by a higher commander, in which he has responsibility and the authority to conduct military operations.
AOR	Area of responsibility	An area of land in which responsibility is specifically assigned to the commander of the area for the development and maintenance of installations, control of movement and the conduct of tactical operations involving troops under his control along with parallel authority to exercise these functions.
ASYGEN	Assembly area, general	An area in which a command is assembled preparatory to further action.
ASYSPL	Assembly area, supply	In a supply installation, the gross area used for collecting and combining components into complete units, kits, or assemblies.
BDYOR	Boundary, organisation	1. A line which delineates surface areas (or airspace) for the purpose of facilitating coordination and deconfliction of operations between adjacent units, formations or areas.2. A control measure normally drawn along identifiable terrain features and used to delineate areas of tactical responsibility between adjacent units and between higher headquarters to the rear of the subordinate units. Control measures which define the left and right limits of a unit’s zone of action or sector. Together with the rear and forward boundary and a coordinating altitude, lateral boundaries define the area of operations for a commander.
BDYPOA	Boundary, political / administrative	A line location by which political or administrative areas of responsibility are defined.
BDYPT	Boundary point	A point on a boundary.
CKPGEN	Check point, general	A point location on the surface of the Earth used as a means of controlling movement, a registration target for fire adjustment, or reference for location.
CKPPOL	Check point, police	A place where military police check vehicular or pedestrian traffic in order to enforce circulation control measures and other laws, orders, and regulations.
CNTPTL	Contact point, land	An easily identifiable point location, where two or more units are required to make contact.
COMCKP	Communication checkpoint	An air control point that requires serial leaders to report either to the aviation mission commander or the terminal control facility.
COMMZ	Communication zone	An area location which defines the rear part of theatre of operations (behind but contiguous to the combat zone) which contains the lines of communication, establishments for supply and evacuation, and other agencies required for the immediate support and maintenance of the field forces.
CONTAR	Control area	A controlled airspace extending upwards from a specified limit above the earth.
CONTZN	Control zone	A controlled airspace extending upwards from the surface of the earth to a specified upper limit.
CRDPNT	Coordinating point	Designated point at which, in all types of combat, adjacent units/formations must make contact for purposes of control and coordination. Army—A control measure that indicates a specific location for the coordination of fires and manoeuvre between adjacent units. They usually are indicated whenever a boundary crosses the forward battle area (FEBA), and may be indicated when a boundary crosses phase lines (PLs) used to control security forces.
CRSBAR	Cross-border area	A temporary segregated area established over international boundaries for specific operational requirements.
CTLPNT	Control point	A position along a route of march at which men are stationed to give information and instructions for the regulation of supply or traffic.
DECPNT	Decision point	An event, area, line, or point in the battlespace where tactical decisions are required resulting from the wargaming process or the operations order. Decision points do not dictate commander’s decisions, they only indicate that a decision is required, and they indicate when/where the decision should be made to have the maximum effect on friendly or enemy courses of action.
DROPPT	Drop point	No definition given
DZ	Drop zone	A specific area upon which airborne troops, equipment, or supplies are airdropped by parachute. NOTE: This zone can include one or more drop sites.
ENTL	Entry line	The line bounding a controlled area (such as a crossing area) that controls entry to that area.
ENTPT	Entry point	A point designated for use by vehicles or personnel in entering an area, line or volume.
ENTRGT	Entry/Exit gate	The point to which an aircraft will be directed to commence the transit inbound/outbound from an airfield or force at sea.
EXITPT	Exit point	A point designated for use by vehicles or personnel in leaving an area, line or volume.
JNTOAR	Joint operations area	Area of land, sea, and airspace defined by a combat commander or subordinate unified commander, in which joint force commander conducts military operations to accomplish a specific mission.
LA	Landing area	The part of the objective area within which are conducted the landing operations of an amphibious force.
LIMARE	Limited access area	An area location to indicate to what personnel or equipment the area is impassable. Note – this definition does not identify whether it is a procedural issue, limitation or a trafficability issue.
MSR	Main supply route	The route or routes designated with an area of operations on which the bulk of traffic flows in support of military operations.
PSSGPT	Passage point	A specifically designated place where units will pass through one another either in an advance or withdrawal. It is located where the commander desires subordinate units to physically execute a passage of lines.
PTDPRT	Point of departure	In night or limited visibility attacks, a specific place on the line of departure (LD) where a unit will cross.
PTINT	Point of interest	No definition given
RALYPT	Rally point	An easily identifiable point location on the ground at which units can reassemble/reorganize if they become disbursed or aircrews/passengers can assemble and reorganize following an incident requiring a forced landing.
RCNSAR	Reconnaissance area	Airspace established specifically for airborne platforms conducting reconnaissance.
REPLIN	Report line	A line at which troops, after having reached it, must report to their command echelon.
RNDZPT	Rendezvous point	The point at which a pre-arranged meeting at a given time and location is to take place or from which to begin an action or phase of an operation, or to which to return after an operation.
ROUTE	Route	A line location that prescribes the course to be travelled from a specific point of origin to a specific destination.
SAFZ	Safety zone	An area reserved for non-combat operations of friendly forces.
SARPNT	Search and rescue point	A reference point used during SAR operations.
SEREAR	Search area / reconnaissance area	Used to depict the area within which a unit or formation is responsible for reconnaissance. As shown, the points of the arrows indicate the width of that area but not its forward edge.
SFSCTR	Safety sector	Established to route friendly aircraft to maritime forces with minimum risk.
SPCCDR	Special corridor	An area established to accommodate the special routing requirements of specific missions.
SRCHAR	Search centre	A point location that specifies the centre point of a search area.
STPT	Strong point	A defensive position, usually strongly fortified and heavily armed with automatic weapons around which other positions are grouped for its protection. Army—A position requiring extensive engineering effort for obstacles and survivability positions and positioned to control or block an avenue of approach. Normally, command and control, aid stations, and critical supply stockpiles will be dug-in with overhead protection. Trenches and other protective construction will be done to protect soldiers and weapons from damage during assault by mounted and dismounted forces.
STRTPT	Start point	A well-defined point on a route at which movement of vehicles begins to be under the control of the commander of this movement. It is at this point that the column is formed by the successive passing, at an appointed time, of each of the elements composing the column. In addition to the principal start point of a column there may be secondary start points for its different elements.
SUPARE	Supply area	An area where supply units, depots, and dumps may be located.
SUPPT	Supply point	Any specific point where supplies are issued in detail.
TRNGAR	Training area	Battle space created during a contingency for the purpose of conducting training.
TRSCRD	Transit corridor	Bi-directional corridor in the rear area. Air traffic services not normally provided.
TRSTRT	Transit route	A temporary corridor of defined dimensions established in the forward area to minimize the risk to friendly aircraft from friendly air defences or surface forces.
WAITA	Waiting area	An area designated for temporary halts during movement.
XA	Crossing area	A number of adjacent crossing sites under the control of one commander.
XSITE	Crossing site	The point of crossing an obstacle.

Geo / Weather element (GEO\WEATHER)

Acronym

Item

HUM

Humid conditions (cf. the details in section 3.6.1 - Humid conditions)

ICY

Icy conditions (cf. the details in section 3.6.2 - Icy conditions)

TDS

Thunderstorm conditions (cf. the details in section 3.6.3 - Thunderstorm conditions)

TEMPsxx

This item provides the temperature in Celsius degrees. s is the sign (+ or -) and xx is the temperature itself:

•	TEMP+15 for a temperature of 15°C above 0

•	TEMP-04 for a temperature of 4°C under 0

VIS

Visibility conditions (cf. the details in section 3.6.4 - Visibility conditions)

WIN

Windy conditions (cf. the details in section 3.6.5 - Windy conditions)

WNDddxxx

This item provides the heading and the speed of the wind.

The heading may be omitted. When present, it may take the following values:

•	NO = North

•	NE = North East

•

EA = East

•	SE = South East

•	SO = South

•	SW = South West

•

WE = West

•	NW = North West

The speed may be omitted. When present it provides the speed in meters per second.

For example, WNDSW015 is a wind of 15 meters per second blowing in the South West direction.

Humid conditions (HUM)

Acronym	Weather	Definition
DRZLE	Drizzle	Fairly uniform precipitation composed exclusively of fine drops (diameter less than 0.02 inch or 0.5 mm) very close together. Drizzle appears to float while following air currents although, unlike fog droplets, it falls to the ground. It usually falls from low stratus clouds and is frequently accompanied by low visibility and fog.
FOG	Fog/mist	A visible aggregate of minute water particles (droplets) which are based on the Earth’s surface, extends vertically, and reduces horizontal visibility to less than 5/8 mile (1,000 meters). When fog is further described by the descriptors BC, MI, or PR, the prevailing visibility may be equal to or greater than 5/8 mile (1,000 meters. Unlike drizzle, FG does not fall to the ground.
RAIN	Rain	Precipitation, either in the form of drops larger than 0.02 inch (0.5 mm), or smaller drops, which in contrast to drizzle, are widely separated.
RAINSR	Rain shower	The rain changes intensity or starts and stops abruptly. These showers fall exclusively from cumuliform clouds.
THSTRN	Thunderstorms and rain	A local storm produced by a cumulonimbus cloud accompanied by lightning and/or thunder and precipitation, either in the form of drops larger than 0.02 inch (0.5 mm), or smaller drops, which in contrast to drizzle, are widely separated.

Icy conditions (ICY)

Acronym	Weather	Definition
BLWSNW	Blowing snow	Snow particles raised and stirred violently by the wind to moderate or great heights. Prevailing visibility is reduced to less than 7 miles (9,999 meters) and the sky may become obscured when the particles are raised to great heights.
CLRICE	Clear icing	Glossy, clear, or translucent ice formed by the relatively slow freezing of large supercooled droplets. The droplets spread out over the airframe surface before completely freezing.
FDRZLE	Freezing drizzle	Drizzle which freezes upon impact with the ground, with objects in flight, or with objects on the ground. Produces glaze (clear) ice.
FRAIN	Freezing rain	Rain that freezes on impact with the ground, with objects in flight, or with objects on the ground. Produces glaze (clear) ice.
FRZFOG	Freezing fog	A suspension of numerous minute ice crystals in the air, or water droplets at temperatures below 0 degrees Celsius, based at the Earth’s surface and extending vertically to greater than 6 feet (1.8 meters). FZFG reduces prevailing visibility to less than 5/8 mile (1000 meters) and, unlike drizzle, does not fall to the ground. The water droplets may freeze upon contact with exposed objects to form a coating of rime or glaze and it can occur even though the air temperature is above freezing. The water droplets may freeze upon contact with exposed objects to form a coating of rime or glaze. Also called Ice Fog.
HAIL	Hail	Precipitation in the form of small balls or other pieces of ice falling separately or frozen together in irregular lumps. Hailstones consist of alternate opaque and clear layers of ice in most cases. Hail is normally associated with thunderstorms and surface temperatures above freezing.
ICECRY	Ice crystals	A fall of unbranched (snow crystals are branched) ice crystals in the form of needles, columns, or plates. They are termed “ice prisms” in synoptic observations. Ice crystals are often so tiny they seem to be suspended in air. They may fall from a cloud or from clear air. The crystals are visible mainly when they glitter in the sunshine or other bright light (diamond dust), thus producing a luminous pillar or other optical phenomena. This hydrometer (rarely more than the lightest precipitation), which is frequent in polar regions, occurs only at very low temperatures in stable air masses.
ICEPLT	Ice pellets	Precipitation of transparent or translucent pellets of ice, which are round or irregular, rarely conical, and have a diameter of 0.2 inch (5 mm) or less. The pellets usually rebound when striking hard ground and make a sound on impact. There are two main types: hard grains of ice consisting of frozen raindrops or melted and refrozen snowflakes and pellets of snow encased in a thin layer of ice formed from the freezing, either of droplets intercepted by the pellets, or of water resulting from the partial melting of the pellets.
MIXICE	Mixed icing	A hard rough conglomerate of ice that can cause very rough accumulation and severe loss of lift.
RIMICE	Rime icing	Rough, milky opaque ice formed by the instantaneous freezing of small supercooled droplets which trap air within the ice as they strike the aircraft.
SLEET	Sleet	A condition with precipitation of rain and snow.
SNOW	Snow	Precipitation of snow crystals, mostly branched in the form of six pointed stars, many times clustered to form snowflakes.
SNWGRN	Snow grains	Precipitation of very small, white, opaque particles of ice; the solid equivalent of drizzle. The grains are fairly flat or elongated. Diameters are generally less than 0.04 inch (1 mm). When the grains hit hard ground, they do not bounce or shatter. They usually fall in very small quantities from stratus clouds (or occasionally from fog).
SNWSHR	Snow shower	Snow changes intensity or starts and stops abruptly. These showers fall exclusively from cumuliform clouds.

Thunderstorm conditions (TDS)

Acronym	Weather	Definition
LGTNNG	Lightning	A luminous manifestation accompanying a sudden electrical discharge, which takes place from or inside a cloud or, less often, from high structures on the ground, or from mountains.
THST	Thunderstorm	A local storm produced by a cumulonimbus cloud accompanied by strong gusty winds, vertical currents at higher levels, and heavy precipitation with lightning and/or thunder. It is usually a few miles in both horizontal and vertical dimensions, extending from the ground up to 20,000, 40,000, or even 60,000 feet in the most vigorous examples.

Visibility conditions (VIS)

Acronym	Weather	Definition
HAZE	Haze	A suspension in the air of extremely small, dry particles invisible to the naked eye and sufficiently numerous to give the air an opalescent appearance. This phenomenon resembles a uniform veil over the landscape and subdues all colours. Dark objects viewed through this veil tend to have a bluish tinge while bright objects, such as the sun or distant lights, tend to have a dirty yellow or reddish hue. When haze is present and the sun is well above the horizon, its light may have a peculiar silvery tinge. Haze particles may be composed of a variety of substances; e.g., dust, salt, residue from distant fires or volcanoes, pollen, etc., which generally are well diffused through the atmosphere.
SMOKE	Smoke	A suspension in the air of small particles produced by combustion. A transition to haze may occur when smoke particles have travelled great distances (25 to 100 miles or 40 to 160 kilometres or more) and when the larger particles have settled out and the remaining particles have become widely scattered through the atmosphere. When viewed through smoke, the disk of the sun at sunrise and sunset appears very red. The disk may have an orange tinge when the sun is above the horizon. Evenly distributed smoke from distant sources generally has a light grayish or bluish appearance.

Windy conditions (WIN)

Acronym	Weather	Definition
CYCL	Cyclone	The atmospheric pressure distribution in which there is a low central pressure relative to the surroundings. Cyclonic circulation is anticlockwise round the centre in the northern hemisphere and clockwise in the southern hemisphere; in either case the sense of rotation about the vertical is the same as that of the earth’s rotation.
DSTDVL	Dust devil	Well-developed dust/sand whirls (PO). An ensemble of particles of dust or sand, sometimes accompanied by small litter, raised from the ground in the form of a whirling column of varying height with a small diameter and an approximately vertical axis. Reported regardless of the visibility.
DSTSND	Blowing dust or sand	Dust or sand raised by the wind to a height of 6 feet (1.8 meters) or more.
DSTSTR	Dust storm	An unusual, frequently severe weather condition characterized by strong winds and dust-filled air over an extensive area. Report a dust storm if the prevailing visibility is reduced to less than 5/8 miles (1,000 meters), but not less than 5/16 miles (500 meters). Report a heavy (severe) dust storm (+DS) if the visibility is reduced to less than 5/16 miles (500 meters).
FNLCLD	Funnel cloud	A violent, rotating column of air that does not touch the ground, usually appended to a cumulonimbus cloud. Also called a tuba.
HURR	Hurricane	A tropical cyclone, especially in the West Indies, in which wind velocity equals or exceeds 64 knots (73 mph = 117.5 km/hr).
SNDSTR	Sandstorm	Particles of sand ranging in diameter from 0.008 inches to 1 millimetre carried aloft by a strong wind. The sand particles are mostly confined to the lowest ten feet, and rarely rise more than fifty feet above the ground. A sandstorm is reported if the prevailing visibility is reduced to less than 5/8 miles (1,000 metres), but not less than 5/16 miles (500 metres). Report a heavy (severe) sandstorm (+SS) if the visibility is reduced to less than 5/16 miles (500 metres).
STORM	Storm	An atmospheric disturbance manifested in strong winds with precipitation.
TORN	Tornado	A violent, rotating column of air touching the ground; funnel cloud touching the ground. A tornado nearly always starts as a funnel cloud and is accompanied by a loud, roaring noise.
TRST	Tropical storm	A tropical cyclone having winds ranging from approximately 48 to 121 kilometres or 30 to 75 miles per hour.
TYPH	Typhoon	A severe tropical hurricane.
WHIR	Whirlwind	A small revolving storm of wind in which the air whirls around a core of low pressure. Whirlwinds sometimes extend upwards to a height of many hundreds of metres and cause dust whirls formed over a desert.
WTRSPT	Waterspout	A violent, rotating column of air that forms over a body of water, such as a bay, gulf, or lake, and touches the water surface; a tornado or funnel cloud that touches a body of water.