Weather education for curious observers
Weather & Observation Library
Practical guides for measuring weather, understanding what you see, using forecasts and data, and making safer decisions.
Choose what you want to learn
Four clear ways into the library
Each path answers a different kind of need. Pick one to browse every guide in that part of the library; new articles will join the same structure as it grows.
Observe and measure
Make repeatable observations and measure rain, snow, hail, wind, and other conditions with methods you can trust and report.Rainfall, snowfall, hail, wind, and field observationsExplore this pathUnderstand weather
Learn why weather phenomena form, what they mean, and how to distinguish conditions that can look or sound alike.Clouds, precipitation, temperature, seasons, and atmospheric scienceExplore this pathUse forecasts and weather data
Read radar, alerts, historical records, and observation networks with the context needed to interpret weather information well.Radar, alerts, archives, sensors, and observation networksExplore this pathStay safe
Recognize weather hazards, understand official guidance, and make timely decisions before and during dangerous conditions.Lightning, severe storms, winter weather, heat, and preparednessExplore this pathRecently published
Latest weather guides
New field guides and explainers, ordered by publication date. Use the learning paths above when you want the complete collection.
Understand weather
Do Mammatus Clouds Mean a Tornado Is Coming?
Mammatus clouds can accompany strong thunderstorms but do not mean a tornado is coming. Learn what the pouches are, when they appear, and which…
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Stay safe
Microburst vs. Tornado: Damage, Wind, and Radar Clues
Learn how microbursts and tornadoes differ in airflow, radar appearance, damage evidence, duration, and safety—and why one fallen tree cannot settle the cause.
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Stay safe
Shelf Cloud vs. Wall Cloud: The Inflow/Outflow Test
Use the inflow/outflow test to distinguish shelf clouds from wall clouds, understand common look-alikes, and make safer storm observations.
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Understand weather
Derecho vs. Bow Echo vs. Squall Line: What Is the Difference?
A clear, practical comparison of squall lines, bow echoes, and derechos, including radar structure, wind hazards, warning language, and common misconceptions.
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Stay safe
The 30-Minute Lightning Rule: When Is It Safe to Go Back Outside?
Learn the 30-minute lightning rule, what counts as safe shelter, why every thunderclap resets the timer, and when outdoor activity can resume.
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Stay safe
Scud Cloud vs. Funnel Cloud: How to Tell the Difference
Learn how scud differs from a funnel cloud, what organized rotation looks like, and when a lowering or debris cloud means seek shelter.
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