How to Interpret Cloud Formations

"You don't have to be a weatherman to know which way the wind blows," sang Bob Dylan. True enough, as far as it goes. Learning to watch the skies - how the clouds form and dissipate - can tell us what we might expect from Mother Nature.

Things You'll Need

• Rain Slickers
• Raincoats
• The Weather Book
• Public Service Band Scanners
• Weather Radios
• Binoculars Cases
• Camera Accessories
• Camera Bags
• Camera Lenses
• Cameras
• Digital Cameras
• Disposable Cameras
• Film
• Telescope Camera Adapters
• Telescope Tripods
• Telescopes
• Binoculars
• Binoculars Straps
• Foul Weather Gear
• Pouch Rain Poncho

Instructions

1. Understand that our climate is controlled by the circulation of air masses of different temperatures and humidity.

2. Learn the basic physics of cloud formation. Clouds form when warm air rises - often lifted by winds - and water vapor within the air condenses into visible drops.

3. Check the relationship between wind direction, temperature and humidity.

4. Remember, most geographical areas have weather patterns marked by cloud movement. In the midwestern United States, for example, warm moist air rides up from the Gulf of Mexico and cold dry air drops down from Canada.

5. Watch for clouds that indicate a front - the line marking the border of two air masses - is near or passing. Cirrus clouds indicate warm fronts. Stratocumulus can indicate an approaching cold front.

6. Check the horizon for cumulus clouds building into towering walls. A thunderstorm may be only a few minutes away.

7. Be aware that the leading edge of thunderstorms, marked by giant cumulonimbus clouds, can generate high winds, hail and even tornadoes.

8. Remember, cumulus clouds are a sign of unstable air. Winter or summer, warm air rising can form into puffy clouds.

9. Look for fog - actually stratus clouds at ground level - when warm air moves over cold ground.

10. Check cirrus clouds - thin wisps - at higher altitudes; watch for speed and direction. Cirrus clouds indicate a weather change and the direction from which it will arrive.

11. Watch for seasonal precipitation in the next 24 hours when cirrus changes to cirrostratus (a flat sheet of clouds at a high altitude).

12. Expect fair weather when the puffy rows of cirrocumulus are visible at a high altitude.

13. Prepare for precipitation when altostratus or altocumulus clouds accumulate. Alto clouds form between 6,500 and 18,000 feet.

14. Watch for imminent rain, snow or thunderstorms if cloud cover steadily drops lower and lower.

Tips & Warnings

• Some weather proverbs are amazingly accurate. "When halo rings the moon or sun, rain's approaching on the run," works as an indicator because high-altitude cirrostratus clouds contain ice crystals that seem to form the rings. Such clouds normally precede a wet warm front.

• Exercise care when outdoors during a thunderstorm. Lightning can be dangerous.