![]() ![]() The good news is that no matter what level of observer you are, there is an explosion of weather information available to the public and for anyone who wants to jump in with both feet. The challenging news is that there is so much information that it’s difficult to know where to start. You want to ‘crack a few books’ on meteorology or maybe even download forecasting programs you can customize to your location. You want to move up to the next level so that you can make some serious local forecasts. You have your own weather instruments, possibly making daily observations. You review weather maps daily with more than a few weather apps on your mobile device. You have been at the intermediate level for a few years and really want to jump in as far as you can without becoming a meteorologist or a storm chaser, but, perhaps, participating as a Cooperative Weather Observer for NOAA or CoCoRaHS (Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network). You’d like to have a better general understanding of basic weather phenomena and maybe make some observations for fun even consider purchasing weather instruments for your location, possibly making daily observations. You may have one or two radar apps so you can follow storms in your area. You probably have a bit of excitement when you watch the local forecast and wonder how it all comes together. You might watch the local news for the weather forecast, possibly tune in to the Weather Channel if there’s some heavy weather coming your way, reading the daily forecast from your mobile device. I divide the weather amateur into three categories based on your interest and the amount of time you would like to devote to the depth of your interest: Basic, Intermediate and Advanced. ![]() I begin with the different profiles of weather observers and key websites for weather education. This short series on becoming an amateur weather observer is to share a bit of my journey and, hopefully, offer some guidance whether you just want to look out the window or become a serious amateur creating your own forecasts from computer programs with your handheld mobile device loaded with weather apps. ![]() My own journey began many years ago on the plains of Oklahoma and continues in Orlando, Florida. Those of us who believe the truth of Ruskin’s words may not see all weather phenomena as good, but we do revel in it all, fascinated by the atmosphere’s daily march wherever we live. “There is no such thing as bad weather, only different kinds of good weather” ![]()
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