The Architecture of Clouds

The Architecture of Clouds describes in a visual, poetic, and personal way how clouds are related to our everyday life and the weather. It expertly details how the art and science of clouds are interconnected with straightforward scientific explanations of the meteorological context in which clouds appear and why they form, alongside in-depth descriptions of the visual and artistic aspects of clouds. The air motion dynamics, cloud microphysics and thermodynamics discussed are written in a style accessible to all readers.

The clouds showcased within the text range from placid ground fog to smoothly sculpted, stationary, mountain-wave clouds to violent clouds associated with convective storms, tornadoes, and hurricanes. Clouds are classified as whether they are buoyant or not, and if they are, how deep they extend through the atmosphere. An exhaustive and impressive compilation of photos taken from all over the world, including photographs taken from satellites, are featured in each chapter. Radar depictions of the inside of some clouds and storms provide a unique addition.

This book provides an abundance of detail and photography that will be appreciated by scientists, students, and any reader interested in exploring beyond the aesthetics of clouds.

Howard Bluestein, The University of Oklahoma

Howard B. (Howie “Cb”) Bluestein was raised in Boston and Miami Beach. He earned B. S. and M. S. degrees in electrical engineering and M. S. and Ph. D. degrees in meteorology from M.I.T. He is a Professor and George Lynn Cross Research Professor in the School of Meteorology at the University of Oklahoma, Norman and a frequent visiting scientist at the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, Colorado. He uses advanced, mobile Doppler-radar systems to study severe convective storms and tornadoes. His cloud photographs have been published and exhibited in art museums worldwide.