Any ameteur meteoroligists out there?

[Guest avid]

I find myself spending so much time trying to figure out the weather that I decided to make a hobby out of it.   There is so much to know that I'm a little overwhelmed.

I do have a barometer and a humidity guage.

But I am very much a novice.

Any of you weather hobbyists out there who can offer links will be greatly appreciated/

thanks,

avid

[Marty]

One way to get going is to peruse a glossary, then search for additional information on subjects that interest you. NOAA has a glossary, as does The Weather Channel and many other organizations. You could google "weather glossary" and pick one that looks good to you.

[ring fry]

Avid, I have been in the golf business a looooonnnggggg time and am pretty good with predictions.  First, like learning fishing, is T.O.  (time outside).  Secondly, go to NOAA weather and study the whole site; jet streams, fronts, upper loft winds, etc.  One of the best sites I have found is weathertap.com.  The radar is a compilation of 4 or 5 different radars from each site. It has storm tracking, temps, wind direction and speeds, etc.  The rest of the site has everything from aviation weather to more statitistics, facts, and charts than I care to look at, but informative.  Oh yea, it's $6.95 a month, but well worth it.  It's sorta like learning to 'walk the dog' with a spook.  You try and try and it wears your arse out, then one day it just comes easy and you don't have to even think about it.

Now I have to go and hose off a green that has been under water the last 18 hours from the 18" of rain I've had the last month that I DIDN'T predict!!  ;D

[Cajun1977]

arent all meteoroligist  amatuers,  they never get it right ;D

[burleytog]

I try to be.

Sometimes I become a little too obsessed with the weather.  I'm constantly watching the radar, wind patterns, etc.

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

That would be me!

I check the weather channels hourly report and if it says sun, I grab the gore-tex, if it calls for rain, I grab my shades. ;D ;D

Gotta love the weather channel,lol.

[Guest the_muddy_man]

I GO OUTSIDE IF I COME BACK IN AND I AM WET   IT'S RAINING, IF MY HAIR GETS MESSED UP  ITS  WINDY,  

[squid]

If I am doing my business(no1) outside and my pants get wet....two things happened.   1.  I was facing the wrong way.  2.  The wind was really blowing hard.....lol.. ;D ;D ;D

[squid]

Avid,

On a serious note, I think that is a neat hobby to get into.  When would you find time to fish though?.....lol

[roadwarrior]

I specialize in forecasting the weather outlook for states in the Mid West and Mid South:

July 1, 2007 - September 21, 2007

Sunny, hot and humid.

Highs in the upper 90s to low 100s.

Chance of isolated afternoon thunderstorms.

:

[Guest avid]

LOL.

I absolutely deserve and appreciate all of the jovial comments.

I'm sure some of you have been "mooked" by me, and relished the chance at revenge.

A tip of Avids famous hat to you sirs  

Seriously though,

Thanks for the NOAA and glossary tips.  That is excellent advice.  for example I have no idea what "dew point" means (Muddy behave yourself)

but I'm actually looking to acquiring instruments and begin my own little weather station.

I'll search around on the web for info, but I always like to check with my buds on BassResource.com

[Guest the_muddy_man]

hOW ABOUT THIS A SERIOUS REPLY; i THINK DEW POINT REFLECTS HOW MUCH MOISTURE THE AIR CAN HOLD i BELIEVE IT'S A RATIO BETWEEN TEMP/HUMIDITY BEFORE MOISTURE STARTS TO LEAVE THE AIR>>>>>dEW. I think it is measured because it also reflects how sweat evaporates and therfore our comfort level. NOT BAD , HUH!

PS Cableas has a few, relatively inexpensive weather stations, that come with guides

WHAT ARE YOU TAKING MR WIZARDS PLACE

[roadwarrior]

Take a look at this system:

http://www.weathershack.com/

[Panamoka_Bassin]

I too like to think I can predict the weather, but I don't use anything but my eyes, ears, and bones.  I'll look at the radar and weather maps from time to time, but I find the best way to predict the weather is to pay attention to the clouds, the wind, and the sun.  For example, we've all seen "herring" clouds, those patterns of clouds that kinda bunch together and, if looked at properly, look like a herring's body.  These clouds, depending on how closely bunched together they are, tell me that there's going to be wind and rain within the next 18-36 hours (tighter together means sooner than later, and probably more intensity of rain.)

Another way to get a good weather indicator is to watch what the birds do.  When you see seagulls circling very high above, you can be sure you're in for some wind within 24 hours.  The higher they circle, the higher the wind speed will be.

Alot of this I learned from back in the day in Boy Scouts, some more from commercial fishing, and even more so from family members who have relied on weather before there was decent (hehehe) weather organizations to predict weather.  If I was to rely on any one device for predicting the weather, I'd go with a barometer.  Changes in air pressure are deffinate indicators of what the weather will be in the next few hours, but not so good for a long term prediction.

[Guest avid]

Yo Mudster.

I'm totally impressed.  You are truly a man of many talents.

RW.  that site is awesome.

But, OH man this can get real expensive, real quick.

Why can't I take up low cost hobbies.

Like fishing  :-?

[Guest avid]

I too like to think I can predict the weather, but I don't use anything but my eyes, ears, and bones.  I'll look at the radar and weather maps from time to time, but I find the best way to predict the weather is to pay attention to the clouds, the wind, and the sun.  For example, we've all seen "herring" clouds, those patterns of clouds that kinda bunch together and, if looked at properly, look like a herring's body.  These clouds, depending on how closely bunched together they are, tell me that there's going to be wind and rain within the next 18-36 hours (tighter together means sooner than later, and probably more intensity of rain.)

Another way to get a good weather indicator is to watch what the birds do.  When you see seagulls circling very high above, you can be sure you're in for some wind within 24 hours.  The higher they circle, the higher the wind speed will be.

Alot of this I learned from back in the day in Boy Scouts, some more from commercial fishing, and even more so from family members who have relied on weather before there was decent (hehehe) weather organizations to predict weather.  If I was to rely on any one device for predicting the weather, I'd go with a barometer.  Changes in air pressure are deffinate indicators of what the weather will be in the next few hours, but not so good for a long term prediction.

I too enjoy observing the behavior of animals and birds to make predictions.

I find them to be pretty good predictors.

Plus it's alot cheaper than purchasing all the instruments and software needed for a modern amateur weather station.

[Guest avid]

Ah hemmmmmmmmmmmm,

this is a weather related thread.

I like baseball cards too, but kindly start another thread

I would hate to have to send my cousin Tony to "pay you a visit"

Yooz know whatI'mtawkinaboud right?  

[Hookem]

My best weather station is my left knee. Aching and its going to rain.  :

Avid,

Read up on your local wives-tails for weather predictions. For instance, we have a shrub called Texas sage. When it blooms, there is a very good chance that it will rain within 24 hrs.

Just as reliable as some high-falutin weather instruments.  

[cart7t]

Avid, I'm a level II storm spotter for the NWS here in St Louis.  Besides Noaa, I'm sure you've been here considering where you live

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/

Here's another really good site with a ton of stuff to keep you busy.  Great radars too!

http://www.wunderground.com/

[Hookemdown.]

I've got a question for you guy's.   Have you ever predicted the weather and you be right and the weatherman be wrong?

[Guest avid]

Yo Cart.

thanks for the Hurricane center link.  Oddly, there is so much talked about and written about hurricanes down here that I never thought to seek out the actual government site.

I am familiar with wunderground.  One of my favs.

I think you have a really cool job

Keep up the good work and don't forget to send me a pm before I leave for Oz.

[cart7t]

I've got a question for you guy's.   Have you ever predicted the weather and you be right and the weatherman be wrong?

I don't try and predict weather though I've watched weather forecasts and guestimated that the forecasters were wrong many times.

Here's something for any outdoorsman to keep tabs on.  Most of your local weather stations use weather services to aid them in predicting the weather, especially long range predictions when computer modeling is used.  The best way to find out which station uses the most reliable service is merely tabulate their next day forecasts, 3 day and 5 day forecasts and then see which ones turned out the most reliable.

Of 3 local channels here. One was very accurate, around 80% for next day but was barely 30% accurate for their 3 and 5 day. The other channels also varied greatly.  Then, if I wanted to get a fairly good idea what the weather would be next weekend when I want to go fishing, I'd tune into channel A, if I was interested in the weather tomorrow, I'd tune into channel B.  

[ejtaylor822]

I specialize in forecasting the weather outlook for states in the Mid West and Mid South:

July 1, 2007 - September 21, 2007

Sunny, hot and humid.

Highs in the upper 90s to low 100s.

Chance of isolated afternoon thunderstorms.

:

Hey RW, you are more reliable then our weatherman here in central NC.

[Troutfisher]

Avid, you need a weather rock.  Weather rocks are very cheap (usually can be found in your driveway) and can be placed anywhere outside.

1.  Find a medium sized rock

2.  Place it within viewing area of your house

3.  Observe and use the following guidelines:

a dry rock means fair weather.

a wet rock means it's raining.

a dusty rock means a dust storm.

a swaying rock means it's windy.

a shadow under the rock means it's sunny.

a white rock means it's snowing.

if the rock is jumping up and down, an

earthquake is upon us.

if the bottom of the rock is under water it's a

flood

if the rock is gone, it's a tornado.

Thus, you have the weather from a true West Virginian.

[Guest the_muddy_man]

Troutfisher wouldn't know if it was raining and he was wet