The Weather Identification Handbook: The Ultimate Guide for Weather Watchers [Paperback]

Storm Dunlop (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 2003

What does it mean when there is a corona around the moon? How do you tell the difference between stratocumulus and nimbostratus clouds? THE WEATHER IDENTIFICATION HANDBOOK is an essential guide to the many different types of phenomena that may be observed, and also gives brief details of the weather that may be expected. The following topics are covered in a reader-friendly format:

Ø Cloud classification
Ø How to identify different cloud types and how they relate to forthcoming weather
Ø How clouds are formed
Ø Optical phenomena
Ø Precipitation
Ø Wind
Ø Severe weather
Ø Weather systems
Ø Satellite images and weather maps

Full of beautiful color photographs and diagrams, THE WEATHER IDENTIFICATION HANDBOOK is essential for the outdoor photographer, adventurer, or meteorological enthusiast. It is also perfect for any parent whose child asks the proverbial question, "Why is the sky blue?"

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This handbook is a definite read for anyone who spends time fishing, hunting, or anything that depends on the weather. It's also great for anyone who has ever had to come up with an answer to "why is the sky blue, dad?" --Big Game Fishing Journal

"clear and well-illustrated guide."--Kliatt

"This handbook is a definite read for anyone who spends time fishing, hunting, or anything that depends on the weather. It's also great for anyone who has ever had to come up with an answer to "why is the sky blue, dad?"--Big Game Fishing Journal

About the Author

STORM DUNLOP is a translator, editor, lecturer, and author of many books including Astronomy: A Step-by-Step Guide to the Night Sky and The Oxford Dictionary of Weather. He is Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society and the Royal Meteorological Society.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: The Lyons Press; 1st edition (June 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1585748579
• ISBN-13: 978-1585748570
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.8 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #51,191 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #36 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Earth Sciences > Rivers
  • #38 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Earth Sciences > Weather

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

92 of 106 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Not what you might expect, March 1, 2006

By 

James P. Benso (Gilman, WI United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Weather Identification Handbook: The Ultimate Guide for Weather Watchers (Paperback)

I am reluctant to criticize any book for being something other than what I expected it to be. I was looking for a 'basic meteorology' book. I wanted a better understanding of fronts, high- and low-pressure areas, wind patterns, world weather patterns, the influence of ocean currents, etc.

If you're looking for weather principles, this book is not for you. Unfortunately (for me), the book takes a taxonomic approach to weather. Approx. 2/3rds of the pages are dedicated to identifying and classifying various cloud formations and optical phenomena. If you read assiduously, you'll never mistake stratus for stratocumulus, cirrus for cirrocumulus, and, aha, there's some altostratus undulatus! And you'll learn of Corona, Glory, and Heiligenschein. Broad weather patterns and principles get short shrift, if they get any shrift at all. About page 178 (out of 192, incl. bibliography, credits, and index) you'll finally get into a discussion of air masses, fronts, depressions, etc.

Publishers are usually responsible for choosing the title. This book is mis-titled.

24 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, February 15, 2005

By 

Randy Given (Manchester, CT USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Weather Identification Handbook: The Ultimate Guide for Weather Watchers (Paperback)

When I first was getting into being a weather hobbyist, I checked out the bookstore and this was my first choice. It helps methodically layout what the different types of clouds there are and how to identify them, as well as understand how they work. This should be one of your first books in this area as well.

36 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Weather Identification Handbook, September 7, 2005

By 

J. Lindner (Gem Lake, MN United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Weather Identification Handbook: The Ultimate Guide for Weather Watchers (Paperback)

This is an excellent book. It is generously illustrated, giving the user more types of cloud classification than most people will ever need to know. It then goes into storm development and other atmospheric conditions. The information is concisely organized and well presented. This is just an excellent book. Anyone with a casual interest in weather will find this book useful.

The book is printed on good quality stock and is full color throughout. I wouldn't be suprised if this is used as a meteorology textbook. It is reasonably priced so I encourage everyone who reads this review to strongly consider this book.