Do you get excited when storms roll in so you can watch the cloud formations and lightning? Do you enjoy tracking storms and forecasting temperatures? Are you worried about climate change and the effects of future weather patterns? If you said yes to any of these, then meteorology might be a great hobby for you to investigate.

Having knowledge of how weather works will give you great appreciation for the impact it has on our environment and for the reasons weather and our climate changes over time. There are millions of amateur meteorologists that track storm patterns, temperature, rainfall, and more all from the comfort of their homes and for very little investment.

Getting up to date meteorological information has never been easier. From cable television channels to the online websites of your local weather station, you can easily find information up to date climate information and conditions. National websites like the National Weather Center provide a variety of tools and maps including radar, satellite, air quality, climate, water, and more.

To get started learning about meteorology, you should first try to familiarize yourself with the above maps and terms. If you are not sure what a certain map represents or how it relates to forecasting and meteorology, you can do some additional research by searching the internet or visiting your local library. There are also a number of weather related forums that are frequented by professional and amateur meteorologists that can be great resources. Also, the television weather channels can also good resources for acquiring knowledge on weather and meteorology.

Many enthusiasts also like to track the weather from their home in order to have current, up to date information on the exact conditions for their location. The local television station may be nowhere near you, so if you want a way track the actual atmospheric and meteorological conditions at your exact yard or location, you may want to consider a home weather station.

Home weather stations are useful for anyone looking for up to the second information on weather and storm conditions. Your basic digital weather station will give you information on indoor and outdoor temperature and humidity. You can also get stations that will give you statistics on wind direction, wind speed, amount of rainfall, wind chill and more. Many also allow for climate forecasting and prediction and give severe weather alerts when severe weather is forthcoming.

If you have an interest in nature and how the weather works and shapes the world, meteorology might be a great hobby or career for you. With so much information available, there has never been a better time to become a weather enthusiast and amateur meteorologist.