If you are looking for that perfect gift for the cloud and weather enthusiast in your life (or yourself), look no further. Updated for 2019, our Head in the Clouds Amherst list of “Top Gifts for Cloud Spotters and Weather Enthusiasts” includes THE BASICS (essential tools for the cloud spotter and weather watcher), BOOKS AND CALENDAR, and BEYOND BOOKS AND BASICS (for the cloud/weather enthusiast who has just about everything else). With a few exceptions, we have focused on the more affordable items out there, with most under $100, and many under $30. (And for the record, we are not compensated by these sellers in any way for sharing this information - though we won't complain if a random gift from this list comes our way from family or friends!)
THE BASICS (core requirements for the cloud and weather obsessed)
A must-have for any weather enthusiast, the home weather station can be purchased for a range of prices, from under $30 to upwards of $1,000. For an affordable weather station, we recommend Ambient Weather’s most popular desktop weather station; it costs about $100 and is packed with features. The unit uses an outdoor sensor to monitor both indoor and outdoor temperature and humidity, outdoor dew point, as well as barometric pressure (both sea-level and measured), and features a pressure history chart to track trends (barograph). The forecast icons let you know at a glance if it’s going to be rainy, cloudy, or sunny based on barometric pressure trends.
2. Membership in the International Cloud Appreciation Society (varies with membership level from about $40 to $70)
If you believe that clouds are the most evocative and dynamic of Nature’s displays, you will be welcomed into the Cloud Appreciation Society with open arms. Come for the cloud talk and stay for the quirky sense of humor and utterly passionate community of cloud spotters from around the world. Society membership isn’t just a digital thing. Every member receives a package by mail, which contains a beautiful enamel membership badge as well as a certificate with the member’s name and Membership Number. Everyone loves to be a number, right? The certificate says that the member will “henceforth seek to persuade all who’ll listen of the wonder and beauty of clouds." The pack also contains one of CAS's fantastic ‘Cloud Selector’ identification wheels. Turn the dials to see the reference images and information and learn to recognize 20 different cloud formations. You'll also receive a "somewhat occasional" e-newsletter and access to lots of cloud-related resources, gifts, and events. (And yes, Head in the Clouds Amherst is indeed a CAS member.)
Rain gauges can be purchased for under $10 to over $100. Those of us who are accustomed to walking outside to get a visual reading will surely appreciate the newer, high tech wireless models. (I for one can’t possibly justify purchasing one for myself, but I wouldn’t return the gift if one came my way!) Wireless models, like the one we’ve linked to here, collect data which it then transmits via a wireless signal to the included console. The console displays many weather variables such as the daily rainfall, indoor/outdoor temperature, and indoor/outdoor humidity. A storm alert indicator will display whenever there is a drop in the barometric pressure which signifies the possibly of an approaching storm. And all that for $60 (on sale now). Of course, you can also get a basic, plastic rain gauge from your local hardware store for less than $5. It makes a great stocking stuffer, and it also comes with the added exercise benefit of forcing you to walk outside to get a reading.
Like the weather station, hand-held anemometers come in a wide range of prices from under $100 to over $1,000. The most basic ones, like the one we’ve linked to here for $74, will allow you to measure wind speed (and sometimes temperature), while the pricier ones provide a whole range of other features, such as heat stress meters, hygrometer, digital compass, onscreen notification of dangerous conditions, ballistics meters, etc. For most of us, the lower tech models will suffice just fine, and they can be purchased for under $100 (you can probably even find them on eBay for under $20). This is the perfect piece of equipment, not just for the weather obsessed, but also for model plane pilots, wind surfers, and other outdoor enthusiasts that rely on accurate wind speed information.
5. Midland Emergency Crank Weather Alert Radio ($45)
There are numerous variations of the emergency alert radio, but regardless of what you end up with, make sure it enables you to access an alternative power source (such as a hand crank). We like this model for its versatility – it includes a flashlight, AM/FM Radio, 4 sources of power (alkaline batteries, AC adapter, crank, or rechargeable battery), alarm clock, and thermometer with freeze alert. It can also be charged from a USB connector. The digital tuner accesses news and weather information, and it also has an alert mode, which will activate the weather band while in standby mode when a weather alert is active in the local area.
This is such a basic weather enthusiast experience that we actually hesitated to include it here – seriously, is there anyone among us who has not seen this film more times than we can count? However, on the off chance that your weather enthusiast doesn’t actually own Twister, let this serve as a strong recommendation. Directed by Jan De Bont (director of Speed), Twister is our favorite natural disaster film ever. The story centers around a day of record-breaking tornadoes in Oklahoma and a storm chasing team’s attempts to deploy DOROTHY (a gizmo designed to release thousands of tiny sensors when a tornado passes over it) in hopes of recording scientific evidence and devising an earlier warning system. The team is led by former romantic partners Jo (Helen Hunt) and Bill (Bill Paxton), and the supporting cast includes Cary Elwes and Phillip Seymour Hoffman. There are laughs along the way, and quotable lines abound. As one reviewer commented, “The skies are threatening, the landscape sweeping, and cows and tractors flying through the air will remind you of that other famous Hollywood cyclone. No one ends up in Oz here, but Twister has a magic all its own.”
Books and Calendar
The Cloud Collector’s Handbook fits into the pocket, allowing cloudspotters to identify cloud formations anytime and anywhere. All the common cloud types are represented, as are many of the rare ones, each fully described and illustrated with a range of photographs. Not only is The Cloud Collector’s Handbook an invaluable resource for anyone who wants to be able to identify and understand every cloud that floats by, it also caters to the competitive cloudspotter (bet you didn't know cloudspotting was a competitive sport!). Points are awarded for each cloud type identified – the rarer the cloud, the greater points – and there’s space to fill in where and when it was sighted.
Beautifully designed, in color throughout, and full of engaging humor, the Handbook is the essential reference for anyone with their head in the clouds.
8. Head in the Clouds Amherst 2020 Wall Calendar ($16.50 per calendar, and can be ordered directly from this link)
This is a bit of shameless self-promotion of our own limited-edition calendar, but we’re pretty sure you’ll have no trouble finding the weather and cloud calendars that can be purchased far and wide everywhere. In the meantime, we offer you something unique and specific to our local area. The Head in the Clouds Amherst 2020 Wall Calendar features:
- 12 beautiful, seasonal photos by Amherst residents and visitors
- Over 200 daily entries highlighting astronomical, historical, weather, and meteorological events in Amherst and New England from 1620-2018
- 17" X 11" (full size when open)
- Saddle stitch binding
- Full color, coated gloss, heavyweight paper
- Shrink wrapped
Buy here ($16.50 calendar) for delivery by mail, or purchase at Hastings, Amherst Books, or Simple Gifts Farm Store (in Amherst MA).
In this children’s book, stray cat Nin drifts from house to house until he meets a meteorologist named Mark. Then Nin begins his greatest journey yet- to the top of Mount Washington. Readers follow Nin to a land where the wind howls, snow swirls and wild bears roam. At the Mount Washington Observatory, Nin learns that a wonderful home can be found anywhere, even high above the clouds. Hard cover, 32 pages, softcover, and is also free with Kindle Unlimited.
10. The Art of Weather Photography – A Comprehensive Guide for Beginners: Capture Weather Photographs Like a Professional ($9.99 Kindle; $8.99 Barnes and Noble; and also available through other booksellers), by Jacci Ingham.
Australian Weather and Nature photographer, Jacci Ingham, shares her passion for chasing storms and reveals her secrets of mastering the art of weather photography. In this comprehensive guide, Jacci provides everything you need to know about capturing your own landscape, lightning, and cloud images. She explains the equipment used, and details the camera settings for the various times of day and meteorological conditions. This book is suitable for all ages. It contains a useful glossary to help the novice reader and covers definitions of common terms, acronyms and popular jargon used by storm photographers.
This handy plastic card shows the use of wind direction, barometric pressure, and cloud type in predicting the weather, plus a full list of radio weather stations for official broadcasts, key information on storm warnings, hurricane avoidance, navigating in fog and other hazardous conditions, and more. Weatherproof high-strength plastic, full color both sides. Punched for binder or bulkhead mounting.
Dimensions: 8½" x 11" (216 x 279 mm).
BEYOND BOOKS AND BASICS
Unique, unusual and over-the-top gifts for the weather enthusiast who has everything else!
The StrikeAlert II is one of the most affordable and easy-to-use personal lightning detectors. It provides an early warning of approaching lightning strikes from as far away as 40 miles. An audible alarm sounds when there's a strike, and a corresponding LED light illuminates accordingly at lightning distances of 20-40 miles, 12-24 miles, 6-12 miles and within 6 miles. The detector is housed in a small pager-like casing that can be clipped on a belt loop and runs on two AAA batteries. This allows the user to see all the lightning activity within a 40 mile range, giving clearer visibility to the nearest strike in the last two minutes. Perfect for weather and outdoor enthusiasts and anyone who frequents outdoor sporting and recreational events.
Astronomy Alert Service -
Sign up for this service and you'll be notified when things are happening in the night sky. You'll never miss another geomagnetic storm, meteor shower, planetary convergence or visible space station flyby. Currently being used by lsky watchers in over 25 countries!.
Learn the main cloud formations every time you take a sip of your tea or coffee. This classic cloud formation mug shows the appearance of the ten main cloud types, as well as indicating their general elevations and typical precipitation. This is a larger width of mug than the standard: 90 mm in diameter (3.5ins), with a capacity of 500ml (17oz). We love this classic educational mug, which is sold through the Cloud Appreciation Society, based in the UK. Other cloud paraphernalia sold through CAS (jewelry, hats, guides, etc.) can be found here.
15. Mount Washington Observatory Summit Day Trip (Members: $429 and
Non-Members $499)
Summit a snow-covered peak in a day? With Mount Washington Observatory Day Trips, you can. A thrilling snowcat ride will take you to the top of the tallest peak in the Northeast where you can spend the day reveling in the mountain's legendary weather and scenery. A highlight of the visit is a guided tour of the Mount Washington Observatory's famous mountaintop weather station and the opportunity to meet the scientists living and working in this remote outpost. Then, after a hearty, homemade lunch, you'll head back down the mountain before nightfall. If you're looking a true alpine adventure in a one-day format, this is the trip for you.
16. Weather Spotter’s Field Guide ($0 if you have access to a free printer)
We here at Head in the Clouds Amherst do our best to find something for every budget. Those gifting with limited cash on hand might consider printing out some of the excellent open-source information available on the web - and giving that to the weather buffs in your life. Even if the recipient is an official Skywarn Spotter, they are unlikely to have actually read this field guide. And if they aren't an official Skywarn Spotter, even better - you can let them know how to join up by sending them here.
Our Head in the Clouds Amherst community is made up of people here in the Valley – and, increasingly, around the world – who come together on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and our annual wall calendar to share our love of the sky and clouds, nature and weather, and all those places, locally and more distant, that take our breath away. Many of us are photographers (amateur and professional alike). Indeed, photos have always been a central part of the "head in the clouds" experience.
I never set foot in a darkroom after college, though my personal pre-graduation boot camp served me well when the high cost of film and developing forced me to be extremely selective about what I photographed. For much of the twentieth century, even once most people could afford some kind of camera, only professional photographers were in a position to take countless pictures, develop their own photographs, and land their work in a commercial publication (like a printed calendar).
After selecting this year’s calendar photos, our committee thought it might be interesting to explore what cameras our photographers had used and what settings they had selected (or had been auto-selected). I started by looking at my own photo’s metadata and was surprised (okay, slightly horrified) to realize I had taken the photo with a basic point-and-shoot camera. I have a higher end camera, after all – wouldn’t that camera better represent all my years of photography? Turns out, I wasn’t the only featured photographer who cringed just a little when they realized their photo wasn’t taken with their highest end camera. Which just goes to show that it’s not the camera that makes the picture but the photographer behind the lens. Indeed, among our featured photographers are four individuals who do this work professionally.
I will leave you to figure out who they might be (hint: you can’t necessarily tell by the camera they used). In the end, we learned that the adage about cameras really is true – the best camera is the one that’s with you.
