A history of weather forecasting, and an animated portrait of the nineteenth-century pioneers who made it possible By the 1800s, a century of feverish discovery had launched the major branches of science. Physics, chemistry, biology, geology, and astronomy made the natural world explicable through experiment, observation, and categorization. And yet one scientific field remained in its infancy. Despite millennia of observation, mankind still had no understanding of the forces behind the weather. A century after the death of Newton, the laws that governed the heavens were entirely unknown, and weather forecasting was the stuff of folklore and superstition. Peter Moore's The Weather Experiment is the account of a group of naturalists, engineers, and artists who conquered the elements. It describes their travels and experiments, their breakthroughs and bankruptcies, with picaresque vigor. It takes readers from Irish bogs to a thunderstorm in Guanabara Bay to the basket of a hydrogen balloon 8,500 feet over Paris. And it captures the particular bent of mind—combining the Romantic love of Nature and the Enlightenment love of Reason—that allowed humanity to finally decipher the skies.

A history of weather forecasting and an animated portrait of the nineteenth-century pioneers who made it possible. --

Learn to “see” the forecast in the hidden weather signs all around you—from the New York Times–bestselling author of How to Read a Tree and The Lost Art of Reading Nature’s Signs In The Secret World of Weather, bestselling author Tristan Gooley turns his gaze up to the sky, bringing his signature brand of close observation and eye-opening deduction to the fascinating world of weather. Every cloud, every change in temperature, every raindrop, every sunbeam, every breeze reveals something about our weather—if you know what to look for. Before you know it, you’ll be able to forecast impending storms, sunny days, and everything in between, all without needing to consult your smartphone. But The Secret World of Weather goes far beyond mere weather prediction, changing the very way we think about weather itself. Weather is not something that blankets an area; rather, it changes constantly as you walk through woods or turn down a street. The weather is never identical on two sides of a tree—or even beneath it. Take, for example, Gooley’s remarkable discovery that breezes accelerate beneath a tree. To Gooley, this is “weather,” a tiny microclimate that explains why people sit beneath a tree to cool down—not only for the shade but, subconsciously, for cooler breeze. And so Gooley shows us not only what the weather will be like five days from now, but also what to expect about the weather around every corner. By carefully observing the subtle interplay of wind, cloud, fog, temperature, rain and many other phenomena, we not only form a deeper understanding of weather patterns, but also unlock secrets about our environment. Weather forms our landscape, and landscape forms our weather. Everything we see in the sky reflects where we are. When we learn to read weather’s signs, Gooley shows us, the weather becomes our map, revealing to us how it has made our towns, cities, woods, and hills what they are. You’ll never see your surroundings the same way again.

Weather can be truly wild. Mild breezes can give way to a terrifying tornado in a matter of minutes. What happens in Earth's atmosphere to cause weather is the focus of this beautifully designed volume. Fascinating facts about weather matters such as the water cycle, thunderstorms, and climate change are presented alongside absorbing, hands-on activities that reinforce key concepts. Gripping graphics, exciting images, and a dynamic design will especially inspire visual and kinesthetic learners.

Help kids ages 8 to 12 experiment like scientists and discover the world of weather! What makes the weather change? What happens in the sky when storm clouds form? The Weather Experiments Book for Kids does more than just explain how weather events work—it lets kids see weather in action! Discover 25 fun experiments kids can create right at home, and explore fascinating weather like rain, clouds, tornadoes, and more! What's weather, anyway?—Kids will get a quick introduction to the difference between weather, climate, and atmosphere, and all the factors that affect what it looks like outside each day. Get hands-on—Kids will make their own barometer that measures atmospheric pressure, create clouds with water and hairspray, test soil conditions, and more. Independent learning—These experiments are designed with easy instructions and materials so kids can do them with minimal help from adults. Discover more than other weather books for kids with experiments that make weather come to life!

From the acclaimed author of Tubes, a lively and surprising tour through the global network that predicts our weather, the people behind it, and what it reveals about our climate and our planet The weather is the foundation of our daily lives. It’s a staple of small talk, the app on our smartphones, and often the first thing we check each morning. Yet, behind all these humble interactions is the largest and most elaborate piece of infrastructure human beings have ever constructed—a triumph of both science and global cooperation. But what is the weather machine, and who created it? In The Weather Machine, Andrew Blum takes readers on a fascinating journey through the people, places, and tools of forecasting, exploring how the weather went from something we simply observed to something we could actually predict. As he travels across the planet, he visits some of the oldest and most important weather stations and watches the newest satellites blast off. He explores the dogged efforts of forecasters to create a supercomputer model of the atmosphere, while trying to grasp the ongoing relevance of TV weather forecasters. In the increasingly unpredictable world of climate change, correctly understanding the weather is vital. Written with the sharp wit and infectious curiosity Andrew Blum is known for, The Weather Machine pulls back the curtain on a universal part of our everyday lives, illuminating our changing relationships with technology, the planet, and our global community.

Professor Figgy’s Weather and Climate Science Lab for Kids provides 52 exciting projects and educational activities, both inside and outside the home, to explore the fascinating, ever-changing, and universal subject of weather. As champion of educational fun Jim Noonan (aka Professor Figgy) guides you through the topics of weather and climate through fun and easy activities, he also teaches the importance of affecting change in the world, through the lens of our climate’s uncertain future. With a foreword by DIY trailblazer Martha Stewart, this comprehensive, hands-on weather and climate learning resource collects captivating activities covering subjects such as: The Atmosphere Sun & Clouds Wind & Rain Severe Weather Pollution & Climate Change Each experiment includes: Easy-to-find Tools & Materials Safety Tips & Tricks Step-by-step How-To Instructions The Science Behind the Fun And, a bit of a trivia—featuring people of interest, historical events, and facts and figures that ground the ideas in the real world and diversify the learning experience The popular Lab for Kids series features a growing list of books that share hands-on activities and projects on a wide host of topics, including art, astronomy, clay, geology, math, and even how to create your own circus—all authored by established experts in their fields. Each lab contains a complete materials list, clear step-by-step photographs of the process, as well as finished samples. The labs can be used as singular projects or as part of a yearlong curriculum of experiential learning. The activities are open-ended, designed to be explored over and over, often with different results. Geared toward being taught or guided by adults, they are enriching for a range of ages and skill levels. Gain firsthand knowledge on your favorite topic with Lab for Kids.