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Wind Forecasting |
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| Miss Figgerbottom always told you that forecasting doesn't
require any special equipment or procedures. All you need to do is go outside
and look up at the clouds. Clouds can tell you many things about what the
weather will do.
It's important to know that not all clouds are the same. Clouds can
come in different shapes, sizes, and colors. Even fog is considered a cloud.
Different clouds can help meteorologists, or anyone, tell what kind of
weather is around them.
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The first kind of cloud is a cirrus
cloud. Cirrus clouds are thin and wispy, and are found very
high in the sky. Cirrus clouds point in the direction the wind is blowing.
No precipitation falls from cirrus clouds. They are a sign of fair weather
for now and the very near future.
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| Next are the altocumulus clouds.
These clouds are like fuzzy bubbles in long rows or strings. If you see
altocumulus clouds, it usually means that a cold front is coming. If it's
summertime and warm and humid, altocumulus clouds may turn into thunderstorms
when the cold front approaches.
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After that are the nimbostratus
clouds. These clouds are dark and low-hanging clouds that cover
the whole sky. They bring with them light to moderate precipitation.
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| Then there are fair weather cumulus clouds. These clouds look like big cotton balls in the sky. They have very large spaces of clear sky in between them. Normally they don't carry any rain, but during the spring and summer they can change into cumulonimbus clouds. | 
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Cumulonimbus clouds are thunderstorm clouds. They are tall and wide clouds that have heavy rain, thunder and lightning. If you see these clouds on the horizon, it is likely it will rain very soon. | |
| Hope you rememeber what Miss Figgerbottom taught you about
cloud forecasting, because your father needs your advice!
Help your dad plan his afternoon by clicking
here!
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