Do-It-Yourself Weather Forecasting

Courtesy Of Northern Florida ARES

Indicators of Deteriorating Weather

• Clouds lowering and thickening, ceiling lowers.
• Puffy clouds begin to develop vertically and darken.
• Sky is dark and threatening to the West.
• Clouds increasing in numbers, moving rapidly across the sky.
• Clouds at different heights moving in different directions.
• Clouds moving from East or Northeast towards the South.
• Heavy rain occurring at night.
• Barometer falling steadily or rapidly.
• Smoke from stacks lowers.
• Static on AM radio.
• Wind shifting North to East and possibly through East to South.
• There is a ring (halo) around the moon.
• If on land, leaves that grow according to prevailing winds turn over and show their backs.
• Strong wind and / or a red sky in the morning.
• Temperatures far above or below normal for the time of year.

Indicators of Impending Strong Winds

• Light, scattered clouds alone in a clear sky.
• Sharp, clearly defined edges to clouds.
• Yellow sunset.
• Unusually bright stars.
• Major changes in the temperature.

Indicators of Impending Precipitation

• Distant objects seem to stand above the horizon.
• Sounds are very clear and can be heard for great distances.
• Transparent veil-like cirrus clouds thicken, ceiling lowers.
• Hazy and sticky air. Rain may occur in 18-36 hours.
• Halo around the sun or moon.
• Increasing South wind with clouds moving from the West.
• Wind (especially North wind) shifting to West and then South.
• Steadily falling barometer.
• Pale sunset.
• Red sky to the West at dawn.
• No dew after a hot day.

Indicators of Clearing Weather

• Cloud bases rise.
• Smoke from stacks rise.
• Wind shifts to West, especially from East through South.
• Barometer rises quickly.
• A cold front has passed in the past 4 to 7 hours.
• Gray early morning sky shows signs of clearing.
• Morning fog or dew.
• Rain stopping and clouds breaking away at sunset.

Indicators of Continuing Fair Weather

• Early morning fog that clears.
• Gentle wind from the West or Northwest.
• Barometer steady or rising slightly.
• Red sky to East with clear sky to the West at sunset.
• Bright moon and light breeze at night.
• Heavy dew or frost.
• Clear blue morning sky to West.
• Clouds dot the afternoon summer sky.

The content of this page was originally put together by Craig Wicks WX8DX of internetEFX.
It is used with his permission.