The basics of meteorology (8)
I believe the answer is:
elements
'the basics' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
I can't explain the rest of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for elements that I've seen before include "Basic parts" , "eg Fire, air" , "Nitrogen and oxygen, e.g." , "Rudiments of a subject" , "Parts of something or the weather" .)