Learn to Read the Sky!

Once upon a time, people who wanted to know what the weather would bring had to rely on an upward glance at the sky. Because it’s now much easier to read a newspaper, computer screen, or turn on the TV, this skill is now a low art. With a little knowledge and practice, though, you can become a proficient prognosticator.

A while back, we ran a basic guide to predicting the weather using the sky. Here’s a more detailed guide to commonly occurring cloud types and what they typically imply for the local weather.

Weather to Go or Weather to Stay

If you see these clouds, you are likely to have a full and fine day ahead of you. The filamentous calligraphy of cirrus clouds scrolling high across the sky is a sure sign of a good day. Exclusively made of ice crystals, these are mostly fair weather clouds, a fact long noted by the adage, “The higher the clouds, the better the weather.”

Should they start to increase, become less distinct and color the entire sky gray, they then hint at a front approaching sometime maybe 24 to 36 hours later.

An architect’s clouds are cumulus clouds, small, flat-bottomed puffs, with rounded tops, that drift happily across blue skies, that are nearly evenly spaced. These are the clouds kids finger-paint, and the forecast is as threatening as the mashed potatoes they resemble. Stratus clouds are uniform and flat, with little definition. They appear frequently in mountain valleys and hover on mountain slopes. They bring cover from the sun but little precipitation, usually not enough to thwart any outing you might have.

One can see stratocumulus clouds often and everywhere. They are individual rounded clouds (or clumps of rounded clouds) that have been pushed together to form a layer. One identifying key is that the clouds appear to be organized in rows. While stratocumulus clouds make an interesting and busy sky, they bring little precipitation to worry about.

Okay Today, Not so Much Tomorrow

Cirrocumulus clouds are usually high ice crystal clouds with visible rows or ripples, not unlike an old washboard. The clouds are often aligned in rows, alternating with blue sky. They exist briefly, with really no immediate weather consequence. But remain watchful; should the clouds thicken and merge, there is a change likely coming.

Cirrostratus clouds spread as a thin, veil-like layer across part or all of the sky. These high icy clouds form a featureless, hazy layer as they thicken. Sometimes, they produce characteristic halos as sun or moonlight refracts through the crystals. Folklore states: “Halo around the sun or moon, rain or snow is coming soon.” The clouds are winter regulars in the northern states and Canada.

Altocumulus Clouds

As the name describes, altocumulus clouds are middle-level, heap-like clouds, often appearing in rows or “streets,” with blue sky between the rows. The form is strongly reminiscent of the sand ripples in a tidal pool. Altocumulus also may appear as iridescent aggregations with a patterned organization.

Mare’s Tails and Mackerel Scales

This is the sailor’s fabled “mackerel sky,” to whit: “Mare’s tails and mackerel scales make tall ships take in their sails.” Mariners knew that the combination of mare’s tail wispy cirrus clouds above a mackerel sky portended veering winds and precipitation. Should those attractive clouds thicken and move before the wind, heed the sailor’s rule!

Cumulus Congestus Clouds

When you see white puffy clouds actively piling higher, you are watching cumulus congestus build. This is common in summer. These clouds may have flat, slightly gray bases and white, towering tops that keep piling into a severe storm later. It’s a classic danger cloud for mountain hiking, building in the morning to unleash torrents of rain and lightning in the afternoon. Cumulonimbus clouds are very dark, flatbottomed clouds with immense tops that can frequently be seen building into a characteristic anvil shape. Anvil–keep this image in mind, because it means you are likely to be pounded. These clouds begin early as cumulus congestus and turn mean. Folklore says it this way: “When clouds appear like rocks and towers, The earth will be washed by frequent showers.” If you see an anvil building, you better head for shelter and safety.

When to Break Out the Monopoly Board

You open the door, look across the sky to the horizon and see dark gray to deep blue, layered clouds, parts of which are blurry because of visible precipitation. These are nimbostratus clouds, a classic rain or snow formation. In areas with distant horizons, one can see these clouds as an approaching storm. Nimbostratus might as well mean “Uh oh.” Watch the direction of the clouds and don’t go that way, if you can avoid it.

I Can’t Take It Anymore; We’re Going to Florida

Altostratus clouds are flat, uniform sheets of gray or blue-gray flannel, layered across the sky. An identification key is the lack of any feature or differentiation. Occasionally, the sun is dimly visible, but there is no halo. These cloud formations are vast and are familiar in the northern states and Canada. The character of altostratus is monotonous and boring, without being acutely threatening. The prevalence and duration of these clouds dampen spirits, not clothes, and while they are cloud light, they weigh on the mind.

Happy cloud watching. And remember, anticipate the best, but take an emergency poncho anyway. Even the pros miss a forecast.