Do you want to get better acquainted with the weather? Perhaps you just need to know the average precipitation for your area or when to expect the last frost of the season. Or maybe you’re a little more ambitious—you would like to be able to predict the weather over the next 24 hours or so.

10 Handy Weather Resources

Whatever your level of interest, you may find these 10 weather resources helpful for digging in deeper:

  1. Zone and Frost Maps
    Perfect for you gardeners out there, this post includes links to freeze maps and USDA plant hardiness zone maps.
  2. 30-Year Normals
    Want to know what to expect in the way of temperature and precipitation in your area? Find the answers here.
  3. What Type of Climate Does Kansas Have?
    If you have lived in Kansas for any length of time, you know the answer to the climate question is not simple. Here is our in-depth discussion, complete with maps.
  4. United States Drought Monitor
    While some years flooding is more of a problem than drought, if you need information on drought and its impacts in your area, the U.S. Drought Monitor is the definitive source. Drought forecasts are included.
  5. Kansas State University Weather Data Library
    For the serious weather enthusiast, this site offers a wealth of information on climate, records, recent weather events, agronomy, and more.
  6. The Weather Wizard’s Cloud Book
    This is a helpful, well-illustrated way to get to know the clouds with an eye to forecasting the weather. Read our full review.
  7. The Book of Clouds
    Want to improve your ability to identify clouds? The lavish photography in this book can really help. Also makes a great book for the coffee table. Read our full review.
  8. Weather Folklore
    Our own series on weather folklore. Find out which sayings are fact and which are fiction.
  9. The Old Farmer’s Almanac Weather Notebook
    If you really want to familiarize yourself with the weather in your area, you should consider keeping your own weather records. This beautiful full-color notebook makes it easy.
  10. A Field Guide to the Atmosphere
    Do you ever wonder how clouds form? What causes different types of precipitation? Why unusual optical effects sometimes appear in the sky? Find out in this clear but thorough book. Read our full review.

Published by hsotr

Four-time author Michelle Lindsey owns and operates Homestead on the Range, an independent publisher dedicated to helping Kansans and others around flyover country achieve an abundant country lifestyle. She is a serious history enthusiast, specializing in Kansas, agriculture, and the American West. When not pursuing hobbies ranging from music to gardening to birdwatching, she can usually be found researching or writing about her many interests.