Are you fascinated by the constantly changing panorama of the sky? Would you like to try your hand at amateur weather forecasting?
A great starting point for those with an interest in the weather is The Weather Wizard’s Cloud Book by Louis D. Rubin Sr. and Jim Duncan. This book will help you learn how to identify the different cloud types through explanations and color plates. Then the topic shifts to wind direction and what it means. These two keystones (cloud types and wind direction) form the basis of amateur weather forecasting.
But the authors do not stop there. In easy-to-understand terms, they explain fronts, storms, and optical effects in the atmosphere, providing an excellent introduction to weather phenomena. They also address weather folklore:
- Groundhogs.
- Woolly bears.
- Mackerel skies.
- Red in the morning.
By carefully studying the information and color plates throughout the book, you may be well on your way to predicting the weather accurately.
Want to check the forecasting tips in this book against your own observations? You may also be interested in The Weather Wizard’s 5-Year Weather Diary (read our full review).
Update: Unfortunately, this diary appears to be out of print. We now recommend The Old Farmer’s Almanac Weather Notebook, a beautiful, sturdy four-year journal in full color. The Weather Notebook has room for recording current conditions, temperature, precipitation, wind speed, barometric pressure, humidity, and special weather or personal events. It also includes amazing photography, fascinating information on how weather works, and a daily dose of weather folklore.
Homestead on the Range 