The basics in meteorology (8)
I believe the answer is:
elements
'the basics' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
I don't understand how the remainder of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for elements that I've seen before include "Rudiments of a subject" , "First principles of the weather" , "Constituents, ingredients" , "Component parts" , "fire and water, say" .)