Do you know of a good book on the weather?

[FootTrack]

Hi all,

I am looking to improve my knowledge of the weather and am searching for a textbook of some sorts to learn from. Can anyone suggest any good reads out there? Preferably a detailed explanation over a more basic one. I'm trying to find a book that explains global weather patterns, meteorological reports, reading the weather from the field etc. etc.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions!

[Wollemi]

Some stuff to get you started...

http://www.bom.gov.au/lam/Students_Teac ... sure.shtml - High and Low Pressure systems explained, pertaining to Australia

http://www.bom.gov.au/iwk/dharawal/index.shtml - Indigenous climate groups nationally

http://www.bom.gov.au/iwk/climate_zones/map_2.shtml - 6 seasons as described by the Dharawal people of the Sydney region

[Hallu]

Those are specific to Australia, Wollemi, I think he wants something more general. I have this one, which is very good : http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1408 ... ge_o04_s00 Encyclopedia of Weather and Climate Change: A Complete Visual Guide

[neilmny]

Some stuff to get you started...

http://www.bom.gov.au/lam/Students_Teac ... sure.shtml - High and Low Pressure systems explained, pertaining to Australia

http://www.bom.gov.au/iwk/dharawal/index.shtml - Indigenous climate groups nationally

http://www.bom.gov.au/iwk/climate_zones/map_2.shtml - 6 seasons as described by the Dharawal people of the Sydney region

Thanks for these Wollemi, very interesting.

[phan_TOM]

G'day FootTrack, I'd recommend any one of the introductory level university texts on the subject. I kept the textbook that I was prescribed when studying earth sciences at uni which has a great section on 'Earth's dynamic atmosphere'. It is an excellent resource for anyone trying to get a greater understanding of the weather http://www.amazon.com/Earth-Science-Edition-Edward-Tarbuck/dp/0321688503

I also have 'The Atmosphere' by the same authors which is a standard text for people studying meteorology at uni. It is a great book, really easy to understand with great diagrams and photos etc http://www.amazon.com/The-Atmosphere-Introduction-Meteorology-Edition/dp/0321756312

The blurb
"The Atmosphere: An Introduction to Meteorology remains the standard introduction in its field, reinforcing basic concepts with everyday, easy-to-grasp examples. This revision retains the hallmarks professors have come to expect from Tarbuck and Lutgens: a friendly, largely non-technical narrative, timely coverage of recent atmospheric events, and carefully crafted artwork by leading science illustrator Dennis Tasa"

Both are great resources but horribly expensive if bought new so I'd recommend searching around for a used one for a fraction of the price.

[Burny]

There is a nautical publication from the UK, google search "NP100 mariners handbook" it has a great chapter explaining weather patterns,not to complex yet detailed enough, but very easy to understand. Im sure with some searching you can find a pdf version somewhere. Although its a marine publication with respects to global meteo trends its a very good read.

[raider]

Go to the Library and look in the fiction section

[South_Aussie_Hiker]

The Bureau of Meterology's "Manual of Meteorology - Part 1" is a good starting point.

While not overly mathematic or too technical, it gives a good grounding in the fundamental science of weather.

Some texts which have been recommended by others also cover climatology. Be aware that the two fields (weather and climate) are, strangely enough, two completely different things.

If you just want to learn about the weather, don't bother yourself too much with climatology.

Part 2 of the aforementioned text is more aviation focused and probably less valuable.

[Hiking Noob]

I have An Australian Geographic Guide to Weather and for the average person it is both informative and easy to understand, 250 plus pages and has some pretty pictures.

[FootTrack]

Thanks for all the suggestions folks, you've thrown up some really great ideas/options I'll have to get to a library soon to check the books out. Cheers.