Ors,

I've learned to watch the weather closely since moving to Texas. The thunderstorms here and in the rest of Tornado alley are simply amazing. I didn't believe the hailstone reports until actually witnessing what grapefruit sized-hail can do to a house.

I usually watch the sky to see if the cumulus clouds start building up in the afternoon. Plus, I'm addicted to the weather channel and our local cable "radar station".

I'm not trying to replace the NOAA forecasts with my own. I just view it as part of situational awareness. Besides, it gives me another excuse to read books and BUY MORE COOL GEAR <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

- Brian

Past couple of months I've been spending a lot of time travelling in my car...one day a week, but I'm driving for about 10 hours. I've got a Weather Channel app. on my cell phone, so if the sky looks questionable, I can check the current radar and forecast.

If you're addicted to that sort of thing, you may want to check into something like that <img src="/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

The value of weather prediction may be in aiding the decision of whether to press on or go to ground.

I read the clouds more than I build fires, I'm sorry to say. <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> The weather forcast is a great way to start, but it has a habit of changing on you.

I'd put it on par with using a map and compass, in terms of importance. You might not die if you don't know it, but if you need to self extract, it's going to be really useful to know.

Although, working outside in the summer, I usually leave my watch inside and get time on the sun. I'm within 15 minutes most of the time, plus or minus.

How does one learn how to do that?

COMET Program - Anticipating Hazardous Weather and Community Risk

A course that gives you an overview of weather forcastng. Doesn't appear to tell how to directly forcast, but how to read NOAA forecasts. This is applicable for FEMA Independent Study Course IS-271.

Ors,

Good suggestion! I'll look into it.

Because I'm a teacher, I usually have the internet available at school and TV/Internet at home during breaks. This would give me an opportunity to keep up to date even if the power goes out.

I'd like to know too. My older brother hasn't worn a watch in years, but he can tell you the time (without having seen a clock all day) within 5 minutes about 90% of the time and within 15 minutes almost all the rest of the time. I haven't seen him go +- more than 15 minutes in years. It's simply uncanny. I guess I got the "direction finding" gene and he got the time thing. I still like mine better, but his is a neat party trick. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I thought I already posted a reply to this, but since it isn't here... *shrugs* getting senile.....

It takes practice. In high school, during the summer, I either worked on farms or for my dad when he owned a house painting business. In either of those, wearing a watch obviously is a bad idea. So, I got to a point where I could say what time it was without digging out my watch.

Keep in mind, that is +/- 15 minute accuracy. That's a 30 minute window.

Realistically, here is what you NEED to know: if the sun is less than three hand widths above the horizon, you need to be thinking about making camp, becuase you don't have a lot of light left. Other than that, eat when you are hungry, drink when you are thirsty, take a tenner and change socks at highest sun, and let the sun wake you up in the morning if the cold didn't kill you first.

I don't know if this has ever occurred to anyone or not. But it has occurred to me.

What it is,- I find it useful to divide the entire sky above you, -right down to the horizon, -into 5ths. For a quick visualization and evaluation standpoint. In my experience, -a fifth of the sky, -is all that the human eyes can comfortably take in at a time.

What they are,- Directly ahead of you, Directly behind you, Directly to your left, Directly to your right, and Directly above you, -centering on the sky's general zenith or midpoint.Irregardless of what 0 to 360 degree starting point as you may have.

You can quickly take in and evaluate each fifth, put it all together in your mind, and know that you havn't missed any of the sky, -in such survey. [color:"black"] [/color] [email]Ors[/email]