How to Read Signs in Every Cloud, Breeze, Hill, Street, Plant, Animal, and Dewdrop
The weather changes as we walk around a tree or turn down a street. There is a secret world of weather – one that we all live in, but very few see.
Each day we pass dozens of small weather signs that reveal what the weather is doing all around us – and what is about to happen. The clues are easy to spot when you know how, but remain invisible to most people.
In The Secret World of Weather you’ll discover the simple rules that explain the weather signs. And you’ll learn rare skills that enhance every minute you spend outdoors, whether you are in a town, on a beach or in a wilder spot.
After 40 years as a professional meteorologist, I’ve looked at the weather through Tristan Gooley’s fresh eyes and seen new things.
Peter Gibbs, Weatherman and BBC Presenter
As the author of the international bestsellers THE WALKER’S GUIDE and HOW TO READ WATER, Tristan Gooley knows how to de-code the phenomena and signs to look for. As he says, ‘I want you to get to know these signs as I have, as characters. By studying their habits and behaviours, the signs come to life and the meaning reveals itself. From this flows an ability to read what is happening and what is about to happen’.
This is the ultimate guide to exploring an undiscovered world, one that hides in front of our eyes.
The book contains 32 colour photographs and many B&W ones too. There are also exquisite illustrations by the artist Neil Gower.
One of the Best Books of 2021, The Daily Telegraph
“The Secret World of Weather is a thrill-ride through the signs and secrets of clouds, winds, dewdrops and sunlight. A fascinating read in itself, it’s also as practical as ever.”
Country Walking Magazine
“I could barely put it down… This is a must for anyone with a love of the outdoors… I started noticing different weather signs the very same day that I started reading the book.”
Wandering Magazine
“Tristan provides readers a unique & practical way to look at weather. His view is similar to how our ancestors looked at and viewed weather long before the invention of the Doppler Radar.”
Backwoodsman Magazine
“Gooley marshals a riveting compendium of weather-reading skills…”
The Times
“Marvellous…Gooley’s witty, conversational writing makes reading a joyful breeze.”
Geographical Magazine
“Tristan Gooley, however, is a wonderfully enthusiastic guide to how we can all learn how to understand the weather simply by looking and feeling, smelling and touching. The sections on microclimates and how the weather relates to the land around us are scientifically rigorous and accessible. This is one of those books that makes you look at your environment in a different, more poetic way.”
The Observer (Guardian)
“There are chapters on familiar subjects like weather fronts and wind behaviour but Gooley’s skill is to piece it all together, make it interesting – and go deeper.“
Cross Country Magazine
…Gooley works from the other end of the scale. What he offers is a handbook on how to interpret the weather signs provided by what you can see walking around your neighbourhood.”
The Times, March 2021
“An ingenious collection of tips and tricks for analyzing and anticipating weather phenomena. . . . The wealth of wisdom on offer is impressive.”
Publishers Weekly
“I would recommend this book to all who seek explanations of the incredible variety of natural sights and sounds detectable in the open air.”
Weather, the Journal of the Royal Meteorological Society
“This breezy new book reveals how to read nature’s very own weather forecast.”
The Daily Mail
“It’s a cracking read, a brilliant read… It’s a great book!”
Paul Ross, Talk Radio.
“The trouble with reading Tristan’s new book is that he makes me feel like I’ve been walking around with my eyes closed… His books are so packed with interesting facts.”
Alastair Humphreys, Author of Microadventures
TELEGRAPH BEST BOOKS OF 2021
“What Gooley excels at is teaching us to use our senses to observe the world around us and interpret the clues that we see, hear and smell. They abound whether we are in the country or the city.”
Peter Chapman-Andrews, Navigation News
“A book that chimes strongly for all sailors.”
Sailing Today
“The Secret World of Weather frames itself early on as an aid to forecasting, by decoding the signs in mackerel skies and dust devils. But it’s really much more than that. It’s about the ecology of weather, how the movement of air and the heat of the sun negotiate with the forms of hill and tree and building to generate the most wondrous variety of phenomena. Metereodiversity, you might call it... Gooley is the best kind of teacher: gentle, patient, nudging.”
Richard Mabey, The Telegraph
“Essential reading for outdoor swimmers.”
Ella Foote, Outdoor Swimmer magazine
🇬🇧 For details about how to buy the book in the UK, please see this page.
🇺🇸 🇨🇦 For details about how to buy the book in the USA or Canada, please see this page.
In all other countries the book should be available via your local bookstore or online.
Feedback from Independent Booksellers in the USA:
“Gooley should be required reading for everybody.” Becky Doherty, Northshire Saratoga, NY
“Reading this book has opened me up to new ways to make sense of the world.” Suzanne Morgan, Politics & Prose, DC
“Gooley demystifies and deconstructs the weather, so that by the end, it is not so secret of a world.” Cori Cusker, Brightside Bookshop, AZ
“Gooley’s voice is prevalent, so that I felt as though I had an expert sitting right next to me, pointing out signs to notice.” Beth Shapiro, Skylark Bookshop, MO
For more details about ordering in North America please click on the banner below:
Click here for the full Index of the book.