Cloud watching as a pastime…
Watching clouds float by is a favorite pastime of mine. And it has been for as long as I remember.
During my youth, I would enjoy laying in the grass in our yard, or a nearby vacant field, or even a dense stand of eastern hardwoods vibrant in their fall colors, and watch clouds journey by overhead. Some days the clouds were few. Other days they were big puffy cotton balls. Occasionally, they were thick and black and spewing tornadoes and torrential rain. Along with loud thunder and bright bolts of lightning.
I was never very good at seeing shapes and figures in the clouds like my friends could. But every now and then, after much finger pointing and in-depth explanation by them, I could “sorta, maybe, kinda” agree they were seeing a dog or a serpent or a human face. Not enough right-brain in me I guess.
At that time I never gave much thought that cloud types are a function of current weather. And they can be used to forecast weather a few days out. But those days of my youth led to college-level course work in weather, sparking an interest in hydrology, and ultimately a career in watershed science.
And to this day, decades later, even with a much better understanding of clouds and weather, I often sit or lay on a hillside and watch in awe as the weather, and its clouds, float by. And much of that observation takes place while I am out-and-about enjoying our public lands in Wyoming. Just another ecosystem service I reckon.
On the variance in clouds…
There are many types of clouds. And each type provides its own tidbits of information. Which is pretty cool to know if you watch clouds as a pastime or are interested in developing such an addiction.
One of the best sources of information for the casual cloud watcher is the National Weather Service (NWS), an arm of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). I’m sure you are familiar with NWS, for who doesn’t check the weather on a regular basis. But if you’ve not heard of NOAA or know little about this federal agency, I encourage you to visit their site. The agency does amazing work in many arenas.
The NWS introductory “cloud” page provides additional links on how they form, the four core types, the ten basic ones, and a chart you can print and carry with you to your cloud watching spot on the globe (reproduced below).
Or if you prefer to take your electronic world with you, the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) has a wonderful “Field Guide to Clouds” app available on Google Play.
Until next time, get out and enjoy your public lands. And take some time to sit in a comfortable locale. And watch the clouds float by. You won’t be disappointed! Cuz – you may see something like the picture below.
