Clouds: Skyward Messengers
You don’t need to be a genius to recognize a massive storm cloud—we’ve all seen them. But if you know a bit about different cloud types and their behavior, you can often predict the weather yourself.
Clouds are classified by height and shape.
There are three main layers:
• High-level clouds (above 6,000 meters), such as cirrus clouds.
• Mid-level clouds (2,000–6,000 meters), often with names starting with “alto-”.
• Low-level clouds (below 2,000 meters), like stratus, cumulus, and others.
By shape, clouds are grouped into:
• Cirrus – wispy, feather-like clouds.
• Stratus – layered, sheet-like clouds covering the sky.
• Cumulus – fluffy, heap-like clouds.
By observing cloud height and type, you can make reasonably accurate predictions about weather changes.
Wind: Reading Its Clues
Wind can seem unpredictable and hard to interpret. Different regions have prevailing winds influenced by warm or cold fronts. However, in temperate zones, a helpful guideline is the “crosswind rule.” Stand with your back to the wind and watch the movement of mid- and high-level clouds. In the Northern Hemisphere, if they move from left to right, expect worsening weather; if from right to left, expect improvement. The opposite applies in the Southern Hemisphere.
Wind Speed: The Beaufort Scale
Strong winds pose a particular danger to ships at sea. In the past, describing wind strength was subjective—what one person called a breeze, another might call a gale. In the 19th century, English Admiral Francis Beaufort developed a wind speed scale still in use today.
Wind Chill: Why Wind Matters
Wind amplifies the feeling of cold. Wind chill is the effective temperature felt by living beings in windy conditions. The stronger the wind and the lower the temperature, the greater the cooling effect. That’s why, when planning a trip, you shouldn’t ignore forecasts of increasing wind—it can affect your route and the duration of your journey. From personal experience, I’ve learned that in cold, damp weather, it’s often not the cold or wetness itself that’s most dangerous—it’s the wind. Cold and damp are bearable, but add strong wind, and the situation becomes life-threatening. Remember this and act accordingly—seek shelter from the wind as soon as possible.
Folk Signs: Timeless Wisdom
You might think that recalling folk sayings is unnecessary when we have tools like the Beaufort scale and wind chill charts. Yet these signs are based on centuries of observation and, in outdoor situations where quick decisions are needed, they can be more useful than any table.
• “Red sky at night, sailor’s delight; red sky in morning, sailor’s warning.” A red sunset often indicates high pressure and stable air, while a red sunrise may mean high pressure has moved east, possibly making way for a low-pressure system bringing rain. (This assumes prevailing westerly winds in temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere.) • “A halo around the sun or moon means rain will come soon.” This halo is caused by ice crystals in high cirrus or cirrostratus clouds, which often precede rain.
• “Mackerel sky, not twenty-four hours dry.” The appearance of cirrocumulus clouds (that look like fish scales) often signals approaching wind or rain.
• “Rainbow to windward, foul weather to come; rainbow to leeward, rain is done.” If the wind blows from the direction of the rainbow, it may bring rain; if the rainbow is downwind, the rain is likely moving away.
Knowing how to read weather signs is a valuable skill for any outdoor enthusiast. It won’t replace a professional forecast, but it can help you make timely decisions and stay safe far from civilization.
Next guide: The Most Important Skills for a Hike: Signaling for Help and Reading a Map Correctly Previous guide: How to Navigate by the Sun on a Hike You can view the full list here: Survival Guides for the Mountains
