Photo of snowy Sussex woodland trail Photo of snowy Sussex woodland trail

What do Scientists Read on Holiday?

A Cumulus cloud in New Mexico. Credit: Anne Forstinger

Dear Mr. Gooley,
I have stumbled upon your book on the secret world of weather in a small bookstore in Flagstaff, Arizona on a road trip. Even though I am not yet finished with the book, I would very much like to thank you for writing it and opening my eyes to weather signs!

One of the reasons why I am not yet finished is that it is so rich with information, that I had to pause a lot to take in all the information. The best thing was that I could see all kinds of signs that I had just read about just by looking out the window. I was so happy identifying the thermals over small patches of land that were used by multiple birds to gain altitude and to identify the multiple cloud patterns in the sky. I cannot thank you enough.

I have to admit, that I am a physicist by study and am currently responsible for the data collection and analysis of about 50 weather stations around the world for solar energy applications. Looking at weather data like irradiance, clouds and wind speeds is most of my day. Yet I am learning so much from your book. I have learned about all the principles in university, but never how to completely think them through until I know if I need an umbrella.

So again, thank you very much for writing this book! I will recommend it to my colleagues as well as my family (I am very impressed that I can actually recommend it to physicists with PhDs working on energy meteorology as well as to my grandma who just enjoys nature without a doubt).

Best regards from Germany,
Anne Forstinger


Reproduced with permission.


Thank you Anne, for reading and your warming message.

I find it heartening when my books are valued by scientists from the same field.

Tristan


Follow up from Anne…

Thanks for the very nice reply. 

I have attached a picture of a beautiful cumulus cloud in Albuquerque, New Mexico, which you might enjoy 🙂

Fun fact: a few minutes after the rain started from that cloud, a noticeable temperature drop and wind from the direction of the cloud could be felt at my view point.

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