Blue Heron in Fall Color

Blue Heron in Fall Color at Cranberry Pond (Leverett/Sunderland)
Photo by Eric M. Berlin

Next year at this time, you could be looking at this extraordinary photo all month long. You only need the 2021 Head in the Clouds Amherst wall calendar. Shop for it now through Etsy: https://etsy.me/2RHv20L

Making Calendar Sense of #2020

Kevin Flood Accessiblbe Trail, Amherst MA
Featured Photo for February - 2015 Head in the Clouds Amherst Calendar
Photo by Sharon Vardatira

Back in February 2015, when the snowstorms kept rolling through New England in quick succession, a co-worker came to me one afternoon, his Head in the Clouds Amherst Calendar in hand. “You’re the reason we’re having all this snow,” he proclaimed. “Look at this photo. Just look at it!” He tapped on February for emphasis, and softened the accusation with a smile. The photo happened to be one of my own. I had taken it a few years before, after an overnight storm turned the Kevin Flood Accessible Trail (adjacent to Puffer’s Pond) into a winter tableau, every tree branch bending under the weight of several feet of new snow.

Although I know it’s absolutely ridiculous to imagine that a calendar photo could have any effect whatsoever on the weather, I nodded in agreement. And although there’s nothing particularly unusual about having a photo depicting snow featured in a month that is typically snowy, I apologized to my co-worker and accepted full responsibility for unleashing such awesome power. Winter 2015 went on to break snowfall records across New England – Amherst recorded 63.4 inches of snow through March 2015, and Boston was buried under nine feet of the stuff. Naturally, most of that snow fell in February.

The human tendency towards “apophenia” – the drive to seek patterns in random information – is what may have led my co-worker to make a connection between the February 2015 calendar photo and the weather outside. Of course, it doesn’t take a great leap to connect photos of different seasons with weather typical for that season. Anyone looking at our calendar will immediately grasp that each photo depicts winter, spring, summer, or fall – and has been placed in a month that aligns with that season.

And still, even when we know the science, or logic, or sheer randomness of certain occurrences, many of us still seek out the deeper meaning and hidden connections. How many of us get a new calendar and immediately flip to our birthday or an anniversary to see what insight can be gleaned from a photo or quote? Or maybe you’re one of those people who refuses to look ahead so as not to jinx your special day. As objects that both look into the future and speak to our past, calendars have fascinated people for thousands of years. From inspiring supposed ancient Mayan doomsday prophesies to YouTube videos on “how to predict the future using any calendar at all,” calendars of all shapes and sizes can take on a life of their own. Even, apparently, our own Head in the Clouds Amherst calendar.

Statue of Robert Frost with Mask
Amherst College, May 2020
Photo by Sharon Vardatira

Which brings me to March 2020. Locally (as if anyone needs reminding), that’s the month when “global pandemic” entered our everyday lexicon. Starting on March 10th, when our governor declared a state of emergency, almost overnight workplaces across Massachusetts shut down or became virtual, schools closed, and every one of us was forced to grapple with a wholly new, frightening, and unknown reality – a reality that is still with us at the time of this writing.

The March photo in our 2020 calendar, by Annie Tvetenstrand, will go down in Head in the Clouds Amherst yore as eerily prophetic. The scene, familiar to anyone who visits Puffer’s Pond in the winter, showed a frozen pond under an overcast sky, with a large branch half submerged beneath the ice and frozen on the surface. Annie’s comment below the photo beautifully captured that singular demarcation between winter and spring:

While walking around Puffer’s, I noticed a twisted branch suspended on top of the pond’s thin surface of ice. It was waiting for spring, awkwardly trapped by the rigidity of winter, just like me.

The Edge of Spring ~ Puffer's Pond, North Amherst
Featured photo for March, by Annie Tvetenstrand
2020 Head in the Clouds Amherst Calendar

March 2020 seemed to last forever. And every single time I looked at the calendar, that branch trapped in the ice hauntingly mirrored the physical reality we were all collectively experiencing, with the overcast sky making sure no sun would penetrate the surface. 

I remarked on the parallels to no one until I learned, a few months later, that Annie herself not only shared my perception, but she actually harbored some small worry that her photo was somehow responsible for everything that had befallen our world in March. Okay, I am probably overstating her feelings (Annie is, after all, a sane, smart individual, firmly rooted in science). But sometimes the connections between random occurrences, objects, or pictures are just too strong to deny, even when we know better.

A calendar is that place where images and events we project into the future intersect with time. So it’s really no wonder that calendars have long been associated with prophesy and a touch of magic. And while I don’t for a second believe our photographers have the power to bring down the snow or set off a pandemic, could we unknowingly tap into some vast prophetic force?

Featured Photo for June
2021 Heads in the Clouds Amherst Calendar
Photo by Mindy Domb

It’s all pure coincidence. Most likely. But just in case, we are taking no chances with our 2021 calendar. This year we are featuring an unprecedented number of photos that include people in nature, happy pets (including one extremely happy dog), and several meditative birds. Annie’s work reappears in a more friendly month, no overcast sky in sight. And we have also traveled beyond the borders of Amherst for the first time – one of the dependable joys of 2020 was being able to explore our local area, from the farmlands, rivers, and hills, to the trails all around us.

Thank you for traveling with our Head in the Clouds Amherst community. We look forward to opening the calendar for 2021, and finding new ways for all of us 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.

You can view and purchase our Head in the Clouds calendar at Hastings (across from the Amherst Common) and online though Etsy for delivery by mail: https://etsy.me/2GSujYK .

Give the Gift of #2021

Calendar Cover ~ Photo by James Patten

GIVE THE GIFT OF A NEW YEAR 

and turn the page on #2020 with the all new

2021 Head in the Clouds Amherst Wall Calendar

Order online for delivery by mail

BLACK FRIDAY 15% OFF SALE PRICE: 

$18.00 $15.30 per calendar through 11/30

(*shipping is free with a purchase of 2 calendars or more)

Proceeds* to benefit the

There has never been a more essential time to reassure the people in your life that #2020 won't last forever. And this gift will keep giving all year round. So what are you waiting for? Go ahead and open the calendar on 2021, and treat yourself and your loved ones to the changing seasons of one of the most beautiful corners of the world, from the farmlands, rivers, lakes, and hills, to the trails all around us. 

• 12 beautiful, seasonal photos of Amherst and the Pioneer Valley by residents and visitors (scroll below to view all pages)
• Over 200 daily entries highlighting astronomical, historical, weather, and meteorological events in Amherst and New England from 1620-2020
• 17" X 11" (full size when open)
• Saddle stitch binding
• Coated gloss, heavyweight paper
• Shrink wrapped

Purchase HERE on ETSY: https://etsy.me/2RHv20L

This is the perfect gift for locals, nature lovers, photographers, writers and poets, students here and aboad, and ex-residents longing for a taste of home. This calendar will have them (and you) falling in love with Amherst and Western Massachusetts month after month.

Also available for in-person purchase at: 

- Hastings, located in downtown Amherst at 45 South Pleasant Street on the Common. (Calendars available after 10/5 at Hastings.) Phone: (413) 253-2840. Call before you go over just to make sure they have calendars in stock. We do our best to keep Hastings supplied, but it's not unusual for them to run out several times during a season - if they don't have any, let us know.

For questions or special requests (including arranging for pick up in North Amherst), please email Sharon at CloudsAmherst[@]gmail[.]com. 

(Actual calendar text and photos appear high resolution/sharp)

Cover Photo by James Patten

Winter Wonderlust ~ Lawrence Swamp, Amherst
Photo by David Sharken

Between the Woods and Frozen Lake
Puffer's Pond, Amherst
Photo by Joshua Wolfsun

Solace in the Time of a Pandemic 
Mill River Conservation Area, North Amherst
Photo by Madiha Noor

Chilled Goose Ahead of Spring Storm
Cherry Hill Golf Course, North Amherst
Photo by Anna-Beth Winograd

Gathering Cumulus ~ Maple Street, Hadley
Photo by Sharon Vardatira

Summer Hike with Louie ~ Somewhere in the Pioneer Valley
Photo by Mindy Domb

The Road Home ~ Pynchon Meadow Road, Northampton
Photo by Richard Getler

Biker Above a Sea of Mountains ~ Hawley
Photo by Brittany Wolcott

Tobacco Barn ~ Sunderland
Photo by Annie Tvetenstrand

A Hint of the Beauty Ahead
Upper Highland Lake, DAR Forest, Goshen
Photo by Paula Hartman Behnken

Blue Heron in Fall Color at Cranberry Pond
Leverett/Sunderland, Photo by Eric M. Berlin

Spring Can Wait, It's Just a Date
Enfield Mods, Hampshire College, Amherst
Photo by James Patten

*"Proceeds" is defined as all income after printing and mailing costs are covered.

Proceeds will be donated to:

Stonehenge, meet NEOWISE

Comet NEOWISE, which is passing through Earth's orbit right now, comes this way once every 6,800 years. Which means NEOWISE is passing over Stonehenge for the first time. (Stonehenge has only been around for about 5,000 years.) This one incredible photo conveys everything about the scope of time and space in our vast universe.

No Swimming at Puffer's Pond this Weekend

Puffer's Pond Spring
Photo by S. Vardatira

I noticed a number of cars arriving (and then almost immediately leaving) Puffer's Pond yesterday, as folks realized the beaches are closed. So, if you were hoping to swim at Puffer's this weekend, let me save you the trip - Puffer's Pond beaches are closed for swimming and congregating this Memorial Day weekend. However, the area can still be used for fishing, walking, and hiking while following current public health protocols for COVID-19.

Stopping by Robert Frost's Statue during a Global Pandemic

Seeking Photos for the 2021 Head in the Clouds Amherst Calendar!

Your photo could be featured (kind of like this) in our 2021 calendar!

CALLING ALL AMHERST and PIONEER VALLEY PHOTOGRAPHERS

These are uncertain times. We are all wondering what life will be like in six months, next winter, even next year. And yet, despite that uncertainty, there are still some deep truths to hang onto - time still moves forward, spring follows winter (and winter is, nevertheless, still coming), nature is all around us, the clouds form an ever-changing canopy overhead, and we live in a beautiful valley, with endless trails and side roads, wide open spaces, quiet ponds, and woods (lovely, dark and deep). Eventually 2021 will come, and this particularly challenging year will be a thing of the past.

We here at Head in the Clouds Amherst believe there is no better time than right now to celebrate our corner of the world and look forward to 2021, all at the same time. In other words, we are seeking photo submissions for our 2021 community calendar!

As in past years, our 2021 calendar will once again feature monthly photos taken by 12 different photographers. But in a major departure from the past, we are not limiting photos to Amherst locations. Even as the world closes in these days, we are opting to expand the boundaries by inviting photos taken across the Pioneer Valley and Western Massachusetts. Over the years, many of you have chafed at the Amherst-only limit, and we've had to reject some stunning photos taken elsewhere. 

So now is your chance to break free! Start flipping through your photo collection – or grab your camera, take to our scenic highways, byways and trails (keeping a safe social distance, of course), and make some new memories. We can’t wait to see what you’ve got!

Submission Guidelines

The deadline to submit is Sunday, May 31, 2020. Submissions can be emailed or uploaded via your Google Drive to CloudsAmherst@gmail.com. Please enter "HITC 2021 Calendar Photo Submission" in the subject line and submit your highest resolution version.

Along with your photo(s), please include: a caption or title; where the photo was taken and what scenic feature is depicted; who is in the photo (unless it's a crowd scene or taken from a distance); the photographer's name; and your contact information. If your photo is selected, you will be asked to provide additional information, including a written comment about your photo to be included in the 2021 calendar.

All submissions must be taken in Western Massachusetts. Priority will be given to photos showing locations in Amherst or other sites across the Pioneer Valley. The photo should 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:

• Unique renderings of iconic local landmarks (natural attractions, university/colleges, museums, popular scenic destinations, etc.)
• Local festivals, annual events and happenings
• Clouds formations and weather phenomena (over or around the Pioneer Valley)

Click HERE 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. You can see our 2019 calendar, here and our 2020 calendar, here. 

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 - don't assume your photo is being considered just because you sent it to us at some other point in the past or we posted it to Facebook or the blog. You can submit as many photos as you like.

If your photo is selected for the 2021 calendar, you will receive a free calendar and reduced rates on any additional calendars you opt to purchase. All net proceeds from sales will be donated to an Amherst-area charity, which will be selected by the calendar production volunteers and that year's featured photographers. 

Our Community of Photographers (and the best cameras)

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.

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 annual wall calendar made its first appearance in 2014. This is our seventh year of featuring photographs taken by people who live in and visit our little corner of the world. 

It would have been all but impossible to pull off our calendar even twenty years ago. There’s some debate about which company produced the first fully digital camera, but consensus places it sometime in the late 1980s with a price tag of $1,500 and up. And those early digital cameras were cumbersome, with poor image quality. Of course, everyone had access to film cameras (point-and-shoot, 35mm, etc.), but professional photographers with the highest end cameras were the ones to watch.

Glass plate negative of a star field
in Sagittarius (photographed at the
Maria Mitchell Observatory on
Nantucket, Massachusetts)

I was introduced to serious photography in college, while majoring in astronomy in the late 1970s. Photographing the night sky for research is a highly technical process, often involving a camera mounted on a telescope, but I also photographed planets, star fields, variable stars and stellar spectra using research telescopes that projected high resolution images onto glass plates.

One of the perks of the work was unfettered access to the Science Center darkroom, where I learned to develop and print images from film negatives and glass plates. One day late in my senior year, I had a eureka moment – it occurred to me that I could apply my darkroom knowledge to, well, anything. And so, keenly aware that graduation would end my time in the darkroom, I went on a month-long spree with my early graduation gift (a Yashika Electro 35mm camera), took hundreds of pictures, and spent hours in the darkroom developing and printing photos of just about everything in sight. I was in a rare and privileged position. At essentially no cost (other than college tuition, of course!), I was able to take pictures with unlimited film, print contact sheets of my negatives, and create prints of any image I deemed even remotely interesting.

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).

The digital revolution of today has, at its core, democratized photography. At a reasonable price, anyone can take thousands of photos, crop and edit images, send their images far and wide, and, ultimately, hone their skills in the process.

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.

Thank you for being part of this community – we can’t wait to experience the world through your eyes.

Top Gifts for Cloud Spotters and Weather Enthusiasts (updated for 2019)

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)

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. 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.)

3. 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 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.

4. 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.  

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. 

6. 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

7. The Cloud Collector's Handbook, ($10 through Amazon or other booksellers, $19 if you want a copy signed by CAS founder and author, Gavin Pretor-Pinney) 

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). 

9. 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.

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.

11. 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).

BEYOND BOOKS AND BASICS

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

12. 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.

13. 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!.

14. Cloud Formation Mug ($16.08)

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.