| Most of us think that weather-watching is what | | | | * Cirrus - A good indication of fair weather from |
| the professional weathermen or keen amateur | | | | these high, wispy clouds. In winter, combined with |
| forecasters do. But even they get it wrong | | | | a steady wind, there may be snow on the way. |
| sometimes, so doing your own weather-watching | | | | * Cumulonimbus - Dark and shaped like an anvil, |
| could keep you out of trouble. | | | | with a flat top. Can mean heavy rain. |
| Obviously, before you set out on any outdoor | | | | * Cumulus - Puffs of white cumulus cloud drifting |
| activity, be it a simple walk in the countryside or a | | | | in a blue sky is a good sign of fair weather. |
| weekend sailing trip, you should always check the | | | | * Stratus - Low, shallow and grey. They usually |
| weather forecast first. | | | | produce long periods of light, drizzly rain which can |
| Even so, from experience, I've learnt not to rely | | | | become heavier when combined with a wind. |
| completely on what is predicted (because that's | | | | * Altostratus - A sure sign of rain from these |
| basically what weather-watching is !), and I've got | | | | thick grey clouds. |
| into the habit of keeping my own eye on the | | | | * Cirrostratus - Rain or snow within 15 hours |
| approaching clouds. | | | | from high, dark streaks of ice cloud. |
| Weather is affected by terrain, climate, latitude, | | | | * Stratocumulus - Usually drizzle from irregular |
| altitude and the seasons, and in some areas can | | | | shaped dense white or grey cloud. |
| change in minutes. Looking skyward and into the | | | | Weather-watching in the morning and evening can |
| wind, the appearance and height (low, medium and | | | | also be very informative. Red or orange sky in |
| high) of the clouds will help you decide if the | | | | the evening indicates the approach of good, sunny |
| professional weather-watchers actually got it right, | | | | weather. However, red or orange sky in the |
| or if you should abandon your trip and head home. | | | | morning can mean rain or snow within the day. |
| Clouds are something we all take for granted. | | | | Early morning rainbows indicate showers during |
| Sometimes they can look all fluffy and nice, other | | | | the day, but a rainbow late in the day heralds fine |
| times they can be dark and menacing. The types | | | | weather. |
| to look for are : | | | | |