Clouds and Weather Patterns

If you're going to spend time on the water, it's a good idea to learn and understand some basic meteorology and weather patterns so that you're able to make well-informed decisions while on your next adventure. 

Here is a succession of cloud patterns that reveal future precipitation and possibly an increase in wind:

Cirrus

Cirrus clouds are very high, thin clouds that have a delicate appearance. They appear streaky and are often referred to as mare’s tails. They contain very little water vapor and are actually six-sided ice crystals. They may be in small groups or cover the entire sky.

Cirrostratus

As a warm front continues, you will begin to see cirrostratus clouds. These clouds present themselves as a thin, white layer that begins to cover much of the sky. They will often cause the sun or moon to produce a halo. When these layers thicken, one can expect rain within 24 hours.

Altostratus

The next clouds in this progression are altostratus. They are flat, pale gray sheets that cover large sections of the sky. The sun or moon will often take on a ‘watery’ appearance. Precipitation may now be 3-6 hours away, and often comes with a drop in temperature.

Nimbostratus

Precipitation finally arrives with the presence of nimbostratus clouds. These are thick, dark gray, shapeless rain clouds. Viewed from a distance, the landscape will appear to be washed out as precipitation blurs visibility.

After a nimbostratus front, one will see stratocumulous clouds, post-frontal layered and lumpy low clouds.

Nimbostratus

Other clouds you may experience include altocumulous clouds that are high clouds that appear to be large quilted sheets and may indicate rain showers if they progress in much the same way as cirrus clouds do.

Lenticular Clouds

Lenticular clouds are wave- or lense-like clouds that are born from mountains. By looking towards mountains and observing lenticular clouds one can assume that precipation may develop within 24-48 hours.