All We Love and All We Are

Full disclosure - I am not exactly sure who created this image. I pulled it off the Internet (Pinterest).
Some sources cite the Hubble Telescope, but science would suggest this is in fact a CGI-generated
image - and it's very similar to one created by Mike Kiev, which is itself part of an animation.
So rather than a reality-based image, this should be seen as an artistic rendering of Earth
wrapped in clouds. Beautiful in its own right. Go here for a whole discussion of why this isn't "real."

“Everything is changing about the natural world and everything must change about the way we conduct our lives. It is easy to complain that the problem is too vast, and each of us is too small. But there is one thing that each of us can do ourselves, in our homes, at our own pace — something easier than taking out the recycling or turning down the thermostat, and something more valuable. We can call the threats to our future what they are. We can call the villains villains, the heroes heroes, the victims victims and ourselves complicit. We can realize that all this talk about the fate of Earth has nothing to do with the planet’s tolerance for higher temperatures and everything to do with our species’ tolerance for self-delusion. And we can understand that when we speak about things like fuel-efficiency standards or gasoline taxes or methane flaring, we are speaking about nothing less than all we love and all we are.”

- Nathaniel Rich, Losing Earth

Sunday Morning Undulatus

Lucky for us, long-time Amherst resident, Jackie Churchill, was up at 6:45 am yesterday to capture this bit of Altocumulus undulatus perfection. A mid-level cloud characterized by white or grey undulations that resemble "waves" or "ripples" in water, Altocumulus undulatus often indicates precipitation within the next 20 hours. (And yes, that was certainly the case this time.) Thanks so much for sharing, Jackie!

An Irish Afternoon

Beara Peninsula, Ireland
Photo by Sharon Vardatira

When I come out on the road of a morning, when I have had a night's sleep and perhaps a breakfast, and the sun lights a hill on the distance, a hill I know I shall walk across an hour or two thence, and it is green and silken to my eye, and the clouds have begun their slow, fat rolling journey across the sky, no land in the world can inspire such love.... 
                                                   ― Frank Delaney, Ireland

One of my favorite photos from our family trip to Ireland some years ago. We were somewhere on the Beara Peninsula, off-map and off the main roads at the time, one of those perfect "let's see where the road takes us" afternoons. 

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Can we trust Punxsutawney Phil?

Peekaboo - by MiAngelo Photography

Punxsutawney Phil did not see his shadow, which is good news for those looking for signs of an early spring. For those more enamored of science, NOAA reminds us that Punxsutawney Phil has no predictive skills and is correct only about 40% of the time.

To commemorate the day, friend of Head in the Clouds Amherst, Mia of Miangelo Photography, shared this incredible close-up photo she took of a wild prairie dog (same family as groundhog) doing its thing in Colorado. Thank you, Mia!

Top Gifts for the Weather Enthusiast (updated for 2019)

If you are looking for that perfect gift for the weather enthusiast in your life (or yourself), look no further. Updated for 2019, our Head in the Clouds Amherst list of “Top Gifts for Weather Enthusiasts” includes THE BASICS (essential tools for the weather watcher), BOOKS AND CALENDAR, and BEYOND BOOKS AND BASICS (for the 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 weather obsessed)

1. Weather Station (under $30 to over $1,000)

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. Rain Gauge ($5 to over $100)

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 icollect data 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.

3. Hand-Held Wind Meter (under $100 to over $1,000)

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.  

4. 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. 

5. Twister (the Movie) (DVD, $14.95)

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

6. Soul of the Sky, ($5.19, used) compiled and edited by: Dave Thurlow & Ralph Adler

Soul of the Sky is a different kind of weather book. It’s not preoccupied with charting fronts, defining what an isobar is, or trying to get you to memorize the conversion formula from degrees Centigrade to degrees Fahrenheit. Instead, it's a collection that illustrates how the weather can inspire and terrify, connect and urge us on to new adventures, and invite us to gain a deeper appreciation of how weather and climate affect our everyday lives. This take on weather is close to our hearts here at Head in the Clouds Amherst. The anthology includes essays by a wide variety of renowned and some less-known authors. Published by Mount Washington Observatory, this paperback is a solid 150 pages. Can also be purchased from Barnes and Noble, Amazon, and other sellers.

7. Cat in the Clouds (17.99), by Eric Pinder with illustrations by T.B.R. Walsh

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.

8. 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 and lightning 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

9. Weather Forecasting Quick Reference Card ($9.99, Davis Instruments)

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).

10. 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. New this year, the Head in the Clouds Amherst 2020 Wall Calendar features 12 nature photos taken in Amherst by local residents and visitors. In addition, our calendar notes major holidays, as well as astronomical events visible from North America with the naked eye (full moon, new moon, meteor showers, and more). And, in a unique twist that you won't find anywhere else, our calendar also documents over 100 major weather events that occurred in Amherst and New England between 1660 and 2018. Full size when open is 17" high and 11" wide.  Buy here ($16.50 calendar) for delivery by mail, or purchase at Hastings,Amherst Books, or Simple Gifts Farm Store (in Amherst MA). 

BEYOND BOOKS AND BASICS

Unique, unusual and over-the-top gifts for the weather enthusiast who has everything else!

11. Strike Alert II Personal Lightning Detector ($80)

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.

12. Night Sky Alerts ($5.99/month)

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!.

13. 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.

14. 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.

And after all that, if this list still isn’t enough for you, check out our 2012 Top 10 Gifts for the Weather Obsessed for more ideas (though likely many of the links are out of date by now). 

Snowtober, community, and the birth of Head in the Clouds Amherst

Get all your holiday shopping done right here, right now with our beautiful, one-of-a-kind 2019 Head in the Clouds Amherst Wall Calendar: 
https://headinthecloudsamherst.blogspot.com/2018/10/2019-head-in-clouds-amherst-wall.html

The idea for Head in the Clouds Amherst was born in 2011, in the wake of the “Snowtober” pre-Halloween nor’easter that took Western Massachusetts by surprise, bringing down trees and knocking out power in Amherst and across the region for days. Neighbors with power opened their doors to those without, colleges invited families into their dining halls, local businesses went out of their way to help customers in need, and restaurants and diners were filled with people looking for a hot meal and sharing tales of strife and triumph. The town transformed into a true community. The Head in the Clouds Amherst blog came online one year later as a forum for exploring the intersection between life and weather. Photos have always been a central part of the experience. From wedding fashion photo shoots on a frozen Puffer’s Pond, to clouds reflected in March potholes on Pine Street, to every kind of weather calamity, we’ve watched the seasons, and we’ve watched the people (and very often their pets) who love those seasons.

Our wall calendar made its first appearance in 2014. This is our sixth year of featuring photographs taken by the people who live in and visit our little corner of the world. Each year we strive to find new ways to capture iconic Amherst landmarks, as well as entirely new locations rarely seen by anyone. We are your neighbors and friends - indeed, we’re willing to bet you’ll find at least one name among our 2019 photographers that you recognize: Meg Wright, Joshua Wolfsun, Katherine Mayo, David Sharken, Stephanie O’Keeffe, Eric Heller, Mindy Domb, Isabella Dell’olio, Carol Carson-Leinhart, Megan Dobro, and Elisa Campbell.

The world around us is unpredictable, fierce, awesome, grand, terrible, and heart-achingly beautiful, occasionally all at the same time. This calendar celebrates that experience. 

We hope you’ll join us! 

- Sharon Vardatira, Editor & Photographer

Storm in the forecast (and what are you doing about it?)

This morning in Springfield, Ohio (Photo/Twitter user @GotWxForDays)

So, first, an admission. For the past 10 days (long before notifications about tonight's storm were posted), I've been more than normally obsessed with winter storm prep - which, for me, is saying something. It's also only mid-November, so a little early all things being equal. Was it just because I had some free time on my hands, or was my somewhat singular focus a premonition about this storm or future storms to come? Has anyone else out there been feeling unusually driven to batten down the hatches?

In the meantime, the most recent forecast continues to show widespread accumulating snow and ice for much of interior Southern New England late this afternoon through Friday morning. Locally, a Winter Weather Advisory is in effect from 7 PM this evening to 7 AM Friday morning for Hampden and Hampshire Counties of Massachusetts for 2-4" of snow with isolated amounts to 6" and a coating to two-tenths of an inch of ice. A Winter Weather Advisory is also in effect for Franklin and Western Hampshire Counties of Massachusetts from 7 PM Thursday Evening to 9 AM Friday Morning for 3-6" of snow with isolated higher amounts to 8" and up to one-tenth of an inch of ice. The weight of snow and ice across the area may cause isolated pockets of tree and wire damage and isolated power outages.

As usual, it’s almost always the ice and freezing rain that’s truly problematic. Stay safe – and if you are still catching up on your winter weather prep, here’s a handy guide from the National Weather Service.

2019 Head in the Clouds Amherst Wall Calendar Now Available!

Purchase online for delivery by mail:

2019 Head in the Clouds Amherst Wall Calendar
Price: $17.80 per calendar and FREE Shipping  SOLD OUT

- 12 beautiful, seasonal photos by Amherst residents and visitors
- Over 100 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
- Coated gloss, heavyweight paper
- Shrink wrapped

"Hope" is a thing with feathers

Skies over Hadley, 10/5/2018 - Photo by S. Vardatira

"Hope" is the thing with feathers

- Emily Dickinson

Skies over Hadley, taken late Friday afternoon as I was driving home from work. Brought Emily's poem to mind.

Over and Under Miami Clouds

Cumulus clouds over Miami, Florida - Photo by Louann Krebs

Look carefully at the beach-level scenes (you will spot a rainbow in at least two shots). These photos, capturing the view above and below clouds over Miami, Florida, were taken by long-time Pioneer Valley resident and friend of Head in the Clouds Amherst, Louann Krebs. Thanks so much for bringing us a slice of wind, waves, surf, and awesome clouds, Louann!

Miami, Florida - Photo by Louann Krebs

Miami, Florida - Photo by Louann Krebs

Clouds over Miami, Florida - Photo by Louann Krebs

Clouds over Miami, Florida - Photo by Louann Krebs

Clouds over Miami, Florida - Photo by Louann Krebs

Row by Row

"Row by Row" - Russellville Road, North Amherst
Photo by S. Vardatira, 7/22/2018

Despite prognostications to the contrary, we had another exquisite summer afternoon in Amherst. I tend to think blue sky is highly overrated and usually pretty boring. I'll take this afternoon's skies any time.

Thanks for the photos!

This photo, entitled "The Path to Amherst," was featured in our 2015 calendar,
when the rules around where exactly a photo could be taken were still evolving.
Photo by S. Vardatira

Over the weekend, our calendar committee will be sorting through all the photos that have been submitted for possible inclusion in our 2019 calendar. It's still early days, but it's obvious that we have significantly more photos and more photographers than ever. And so many amazing shots! We've only done a first pass, but getting to the final twelve is going to be truly challenging.

Many thanks to our incredible, talented, and passionate community of photographers!

Seeking Photos for the 2019 Head in the Clouds Amherst Calendar!

Your photo could be featured (kind of like this) in our upcoming 2019 calendar!

CALLING ALL AMHERST-AREA (and AMHERST VISITING) PHOTOGRAPHERS:

Head in the Clouds Amherst is seeking photo submissions for our 2019 calendar. As in past years, the 2019 calendar will once again feature monthly photos taken by 12 different photographers. You can see last year’s calendar, here. 

The deadline to submit is July 6, 2018. Submissions can be emailed or uploaded via Google Drive to CloudsAmherst@gmail.com. Please enter "HITC 2019 Calendar Photo Submissions" in the subject line.

Along with your photo(s), please include: a caption or title; who is in the photo (unless it's a crowd scene or taken from a distance), where it was taken, the photographer's name, and your contact information.

All submissions must have been taken in Amherst or feature a scenic view of Amherst. And photos must also depict scenes that evoke the seasons and the intersection of life and weather. In addition to those qualities, if your photo also captures one or more of these themes it will get special consideration:

• Amherst landmarks (popular gathering sites, university/colleges, museums, etc.)
• Amherst annual events and happenings 
• Clouds formations and weather phenomena (over or around Amherst)

Click on this link for additional tips on submitting winning Head in the Clouds Amherst photos. Keep in mind that we cannot consider photos that are low resolution, low quality, or that contain inappropriate material. 

We welcome photos by professionals and amateurs, in color or black and white. And we’re also counting on friends of Head in the Clouds re-submitting photos you’ve already sent to us over the year. You can submit as many photos as you like.

If your photo is selected for the 2019 calendar, you will receive a free calendar and reduced rates on any additional calendars you opt to purchase.  This enterprise is a labor of love, break-even project - but what we don't make in money we make up for in enthusiastic community support/spirit and awesome photos.

So what are you waiting for??? Start flipping through your photo collection – or grab your camera and make some new memories. We can’t wait to see what you’ve got!

Saving Grace of Clouds

Sunrise on a flight out of Portland, Oregon
By Katelyn Nixon, Cloud Appreciation Society Member 19,485

Consider this a brief respite from social media's ongoing daily bad news barrage. The antidote being to reflect on nature (and by that we mean clouds, of course!).

Let us suppose for a moment that a being, whose eyes were so made that he could see gases as we see liquids, was looking down from a distance upon our earth. He would see an ocean of air, or aerial ocean, all round the globe, with birds floating about in it, and people walking along the bottom, just as we see fish gliding along the bottom of a river... So he would call us all deep-air creatures, just as we talk of deep-sea animals; and if we can imagine that he fished in this air-ocean, and could pull one of us out of it into space, he would find that we should gasp and die just as fishes do when pulled out of the water.

From ‘The Aerial Ocean in Which We Live’ from The Fairy-Land of Science (1883) by Arabella B. Buckley