Book excerpt: Become an expert on clouds and skies with this definitive guide to cloudspotting, produced in association with the Met Office. Clouds have been the object of fascination throughout history, providing food for thought for scientists and daydreamers alike. In this comprehensive guide to the skies, Dr. Richard Hamblyn introduces you to all the different cloud species, including twelve newly recognized cloud forms. Produced in association with the Met Office—the world’s premier weather forecasting bureau—all things to do with the origin and development of a cloud are here. Whether you are looking at a giant fluffy cloud or a tiny fleeting wisp, your cloudspotting will be expertly informed and much more satisfying with this guide. Not only will you be able to identify individual clouds as they appear, but also to track their likely changes over time, and thus predict weather patterns. Illustrated with stunning images from around the globe, this book will unlock the mysteries of the skies so that you can enjoy cloudspotting and skygazing every day.