Migrated from my blog

I started reading a new book about weather forecasting.  This entry will catalogue what I learn as I read the book.

The field based weather forecast tips here are generally good for only a few hours to 1/2 day, are only accurate about 75% of the time, and are only relevant to northern hemisphere temperate climates such as the Pacific Northwest.  Mountain weather has extreme local variations and ocean weather is significantly different.  The East side of the Cascades are highly influenced by the Cascade mountains and most of these generalizations will not apply.

General Local Weather Forecasting

Instructions:

• Turn your back to the wind (assuming it isn't local wind that occurs when on a beach, in a mountain valley, etc)
• Turn ~30 degrees to the right
• Look up at the high clouds (upper wind)
  
  • If the upper clouds are moving parallel to you (forward or backwards) the weather is generally going to stay the same.
  • If the upper clouds are moving left to right the weather is generally going to deteriorate.
  • If the upper clouds are moving right to left the weather is generally going to improve.