Life is Like a Weather Forecast ( A Storm Chaser Looks at Life's Storms )

By G. Thomas Windsor

In this book, a storm chaser explores the science behind modern weather forecasting, some ancient weather wisdom and how that relates to life itself. He shares his personal journey of discovery and the strange twists and turns that happen on the roads of Tornado Alley. He tells of his experiences chasing some of the largest storms on earth (from a safe distance, most of the time!)
This book also explores the subject of "life forecasting and the predictable patterns in the random and oftentimes chaotic events in life.
Sooner or later we all will face a "perfect storm" on the horizon. It's time to take a second look at one's life forecast and fine-tune one's radar.

• Language: English
• Publisher: G. Thomas Windsor
• Release date: Dec 20, 2010
• ISBN: 9780982365939

G. Thomas Windsor

I'm a native of Maryland and have had a long interest in and written on the subjects of science (meteorology), philosophy, and spirituality. I am currently finishing my third book. My writing has also appeared Earthzine journal.

Book preview

Life is Like a Weather Forecast

A Storm Chaser Looks at Life’s Storms

G. Thomas Windsor

Published by Whirlwinds Publishing at Smashwords

© 2010 G. Thomas Windsor

ISBN# 978-0-9823659-2-2

Cover Photo: Windphoto.com

Life is like a Weather Forecast

(A Storm Chaser Looks at Life’s Storms)

Introduction

Hardly a day goes by that we don’t hear of some weather-related phrase or cliché. We may need to weather a new economic storm or beware of some new global crisis that will hopefully blow over. All this can make one feel a little under the weather with clouds hanging over our heads. Perhaps it may even lead to a period of being in the doldrums ... It is in these times I think that we all hope for blue skies smiling at me…

The literal weather affects us all, our scheduled lives and almost half of our national economy. We endure its heat waves, cold snaps, severe storms, and all the assorted picnics and parades that get rained on.

The sky above us has done everything from inspiring artists, to changing the course of history. Decisive battles have been won or lost literally in the fog of war. Now, not only do we have to deal with the affects of weather, but we grapple with the debate regarding how we are affecting the earth’s climate with global warming.

Mankind, it seems, has always been battling the elements or been seemingly at their mercy. One of the earliest written accounts in history is of a major weather-related event: the Flood. Since ancient times, weather and the heavens above us have always been a concern and a reason for deep pondering in the human soul.

Speaking of the weather, one of my part-time pursuits for the last fifteen years has been storm chasing. It has forced me to constantly restudy the complexities of storm prediction and forecasting. The more I have learned, the more I realize just how intriguing the natural heavens are. Though I suppose most people would rather go to places where plenty of sunshine comes their way, the storm chaser plans for and seeks out the times and places of greatest storminess and instability in the atmosphere. The ultimate goal in storm interception is to witness phenomena most have never seen, some of the largest tornadic storms on planet earth. (From a safe distance most of the time!) Yes, I’ve had some close calls, but obviously I’ve survived.

So why does weather provide such good analogies and metaphors to life? Why do the plans of life change like the weather?

Though I suppose most people are in some way life forecasting: health, finances, relationships, relocating, you name it. It is almost a given that life is filled with unpredictability and uncertainty. When we delve into the question of why and why other things are fairly predictable, I believe that this can yield helpful principles. Hopefully, it will help us fine tune our radar, our understanding of life’s weather charts. As this book will explore, there are good identifiable reasons why life is truly like a weather forecast.

Chapter 1

In Pursuit of the Awesome Storm

STORM CHASING

It’s a strange wait: chasing