In Canada, we have one of the most diverse spectra of climate across our country from north to south, east to west. We are also home to some of the most dynamic weather in the world. Given both of these facts, it isn’t easy being a meteorologist in Canada and on many days even the most complex computer model won’t beat some good intuition…or a coin flip. Nevertheless, we tune in and take the meteorologist’s word for the day ahead. We curse them when they leave use soaking in a surprise rainstorm and jeer them when glorious rays of sunshine shoot down depressing calls for overcast and drizzle. Are you boiling in that sweater you grabbed today? Freezing in your t-shirt and sandals? We’ve all been there and we all know how that smiling face calling our day can quickly become an angel or demon by the hands of Mother Nature.
While the long term forecasting is something that will likely remain a volatile and unreliable source of high expectations and dashed hopes for a warm and sunny weekend, the day-to-day forecasting can be a little more accurate. To avoid feeling being cheated by the weather channel’s call and perhaps gain a little magic shaman foresight to impress your friends, why not try calling the weather on your own? Temperature, of course, isn’t something that can predicted using just your own five senses, but decided whether or not the grab the umbrella might not be as tough as you think.
Clouds. Day-by-day they float by, some puffy and white, some thick and gray, bringing rain, shade and your daily attitude. We can lie in the grass and stare up at them, letting our imaginations run wild with what each shape resembles. We can also look up to them and make our own precipitation and sunshine forecast. There is a wealth of knowledge locked into each cloud that can give us clues as to what is to come. By understanding what each cloud is expressing, you too can make a good guess (in some cases better than the weatherman) as to what lies in store for the next day or two.
First though, one must be able to speak the cloud lingo. Clouds can be broadly categorized into high, middle, low and those with vertical growth. Clouds are also described by their shape; cumulus are the puffy, heap-like clouds and stratus are long, streaky clouds. We also use the description nimbus to describe rain clouds, since they are easy to spot (and feel). There isn’t space in a column to include a picture of every cloud type, but a quick search on the Internet should be sufficient to supplement these general terms.
Now onward to what each cloud is saying. Let’s begin with the high clouds (16k-43k feet), composed of ice crystals and not sunlight blocking. We may observe cirrus (thin, wispy streaks), which usually means clear weather presently, but a change in the weather within 24-36 hours. The streak direction will show from where the incoming front is approaching. Cirrocumulus (clumps of arranged streaks) most often means more fair weather ahead, however they can be tied to approaching tropical storms at lower latitudes. Cirrostratus (translucent, streaky blanket) means incoming wet weather in the next 12-24 hours.
Descending towards Earth, we encounter the middle clouds (6.5k-23k feet), a mix of ice and water that usually blocks out the sun. Altocumulus clouds (fluffy white-grey sheets, high contrast) mean that there will likely be a thunderstorm in the afternoon. Altostratus clouds (grey-blue sheet over whole sky) usually immediately precede a storm or rain, so grab your umbrella fast.
The low range clouds (0-6.5k feet) are those that you walk through in a fog or climb towards in skyscrapers. The first type, stratus (appears as elevated fog), lends itself to like drizzle or flurries and often begins its life as fog on the ground level. Stratocumulus (low, clumpy and grey) usually forms in patches or lines not filling the sky and not bringing any rain. Nimbostratus (flat sheet of constant grey) on the other hand, is your standard rain cloud. If you see it overhead, chances are you are also wet.
The last kind we outlined, which have the potential to make you soaked to the bone, are those with vertical growth (bottom 5k, top 50k feet). Cumulus (the standard puffy cloud), while nice to dream about, should be carefully watched. If they remain relatively low level, the change of rain is low and you can dream on all afternoon. Any vertical growth, however, is the call of a growing storm. These growing cumulus become Cumulonimbus (anvil shaped, enormous), the bullies of the sky. The long edge of the anvil top points the way the storm is moving, and those places had best seek shelter. These clouds are responsible for some of the strongest hail and thunderstorms, bringing tornadoes in extreme cases.
With all of the cloud types covered, making your own forecast is relatively simple. Peer out the window and run through the criteria and appearance of each type to see what you are dealing with. Watching for a moment to see the growth and speed they are tracking across the sky will help you know whether or not you need to run for the umbrella immediately or just pack it for later. Through these relatively simple observations, you too can keep yourself dry and safe from whatever nature throws at you. There are many other types of unique clouds, which you may see on the odd day. Look them up and see what it is that is making the sky the way it is. In today’s world where we rely on a constant stream of information to live out our daily lives, it is refreshing to stop for a minute and make some observations on your own, without a forced smile from the weatherman and some cheesy elevator music. With your new knowledge, take the opportunity to better understand what Mother Nature has to say to you!
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