How to Choose a Field Guide About Weather

A good guide will show you how, when, where and what to look for in weather conditions.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• The Weather Sky
• Weather (Golden Guides)

1. Look for a guide that will be easy to read in the field.

2. Look for clear photos or drawings with handy references for each picture.

3. Assess the information and decide whether it answers your questions. Would a younger person understand it?

4. Check out the guide's size and durability. A small field guide such as the 4-inch by 6-inch "Golden Guide to Weather" will fit in a pocket.

5. Decide if you want a guide for a specific location or specialty. Some publishers have one field guide for the East and another for the West; others put out guides for specific states, regions, and even weather conditions such as tornadoes, blizzards or lightning.

6. Match the guide to the weather spotter's level of experience. "The National Audubon Society Pocket Guide - Storms and Clouds" shows the most common cloud formations. It's small and easy to carry - a good choice for the young, budding meteorologist.

7. Try "The Weather Book" by USA Today for a beginner wishing to spot and understand weather phenomena.

8. Give "The Peterson Guide to Clouds and Weather" to a more advanced weather-watcher.

Tips & Warnings

• "Weather: An Introduction to Clouds, Storms and Weather Patterns," published by Pocket Naturalist, is a colorful, 8-inch by 4-inch folded, laminated card to use outdoors.