Explorers Observing the Weather

Take notes on general conditions - temperature, cloudiness or precipitation (drizzle, rain), use the techniques below to add to your observations

Wind - Stand with your back to the wind and monitor what the upper winds are doing. The easiest way to work out the direction of the winds is by watching the highest clouds you can see, then noting if they are moving from left to right, right to left or in the same direction as the wind you can feel.

Clouds moving left to right : warm air is on the way, a warm front may be coming or possibly prolonged rain

Right to Left : Cold air is advancing, weather may improve soon

Same Direction: No change is coming

Things to Remember:

• There will always be a big shift in wind before a weather event or major change
• With your back to the wind, looking at the highest clouds, “Left to right, not quite right”

*See Beaufort Scale images below for identifying wave patterns

Fog - One distinctive weather phenomenon at the coast is fog. In San Francisco, fog is ever so present, it has a name, Karl. Fog is actually just clouds that form low to the ground. Keep in mind that as the sun rises and warms the ground, the fog will evaporate and thin at the edges, much like a puddle. If you can see blue sky as you look up, it usually means the fog will clear soon. Early morning fog in the summer usually means it will be a sunny, clear day.

Clouds - Cumulonimbus: very tall, dark giant cloud - the thunderstorm cloud

Cumulus: Fluffy little sheep that scoot across the lower part of the sky

Cirrus: Wispy streaks, scratched across the high sky, like cotton candy - if followed by Cirrostratus, this can mean rain is coming

Cirrostratus: High shapeless blanket of cloud that forms a dull layer

Contrails: Formed in the wake of aircraft, these long trails will stick around longer the more humid (damp) the air is scied.ucar.edu/learning-zone/clouds/cloud-types

 

 

Weather Sayings and Lore:

A rainbow at night
Fair weather in sight.
A rainbow at morn,
Fair weather all gorn.

A cow with tail to the west, makes weather the best,
A cow with tail to the east, makes weather the least.

When human hair becomes limp, rain is near.

When the new moon holds the old one in her lap,

Expect fair weather.

(When it is a crescent moon and you can see the outline of the whole moon, that means the air is very clear, no storms coming, clear weather for the next day)

Seagull, seagull sit on the sand,
It’s never good weather when you’re on land.