It isn't difficult to find basic information about the weather. Current temperatures are instantly available through apps and websites. Television news reports offer broader information phrased in very concrete terms about the next day: what the commute will be like, the best time to wash the car, and whether to carry an umbrella. However, weather (short-term changes in the atmosphere) and climate (long-term changes) have a wide-reaching effect. Powerful hurricanes have devastated numerous communities. Drought destroys crops and causes food prices to increase. Weather has influenced the outcome of wars when rain turned battlefields to mud or strong winds blew ships off course. Changes can affect every aspect of life.
This minibibliography lists books about weather ranging from ancient times to the near future.
All the titles can be requested from your local cooperating library. The digital talking-book titles can be downloaded through the NLS BARD (Braille and Audio Reading Download) website. Contact your local cooperating library to register for BARD. Registered users can also download titles on iOS and Android devices using the BARD Mobile app. To find your local cooperating library, go to www.loc.gov/nls/find-your-library or call toll-free 888-NLS-READ (888-657-7323)
General
Rain: A Natural and Cultural History
by Cynthia Barnett
Journalist details the history of rain, from its beginnings approximately four billion years ago during Earth's infancy to its impact on life in the twenty-first century. Describes the geometry of the raindrop, technologies to control and direct rainfall, and rain's influence on the arts. 2015
Download DB82316
How to Find a Good Weather Forecast
by Tony Pann
This engaging and entertaining book takes a humorous, but detailed, look at one of the things we all take for granted every day: the forecast. 2008.
Download DBC05312
History
Weather in the Courtroom: Memoirs from a Career in Forensic Meteorology
by William H. Haggard
A former director of the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC) with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) details the development of the use of meteorological data as a forensic science tool. Discusses the rise of consulting meteorologists to interpret the data in the courtroom. 2016.
Download DB87853
Blame It on the Rain: How the Weather Has Changed History
by Laura Lee
Surveys the impact of severe weather on historic events. Covers rainstorms and heavy winds during decisive battles, including the defeat of the Spanish Armada, Waterloo, and D-Day. Explores weather conditions related to the Stradivarius violin, the safety razor, and the hymn "Amazing Grace." 2006.
Download BR17223
The Winds of Change: Climate, Weather, and the Destruction of Civilizations
by Eugene Linden
Environmental journalist posits that climate change contributed to the decline of the Akkadian, Anasazi, Norse, Mayan, and other civilizations. Examines scientific evidence for and against the impact of weather and other geophysical forces, such as El Niño, on humanity. Speculates on implications for modern—and future—society. 2007.
Download DB66586
Superstorm: Nine Days inside Hurricane Sandy
by Kathryn Miles
On October 29, 2012, Hurricane Sandy, the largest and one of the costliest Atlantic hurricanes on record, made a direct hit on the New Jersey shore. In this riveting book, journalist Kathryn Miles takes us inside the storm. Not only do we learn about the meteorology of this maelstrom, but we hear the stories of the professionals trying to forecast it, the people and communities devastated by its wrath, the tremendous efforts of emergency responders and volunteers to manage the crisis, the political response to the destruction, and the ongoing recovery efforts. Some violence and some strong language. 2014.
Download DBC01877
The Change in the Weather: People, Weather, and the Science of Climate
by William K. Stevens
A New York Times science reporter charts the history of understanding climate and weather. Explores the ways changing climatic conditions have shaped human evolution. Interviews leading climatologists about the debate on global warming and whether human consumption of fuel resources contributes to the problem. Speculates about future trends. 1999.
Download DB51244
Climate
Global Weirdness: Severe Storms, Deadly Heat Waves, Relentless Drought, Rising Seas, and the Weather of the Future
by Climate Central
Nonprofit science and journalism organization compiles information regarding climate change as of the early twenty-first century. Details research and predictions for future trends, such as fewer but more powerful hurricanes. Provides solutions for limiting the impact of climate change. Commercial audiobook. 2012.
Download DB76324
The Weather of the Future: Heat Waves, Extreme Storms, and Other Scenes from a Climate-Changed Planet
by Heidi Cullen
Climatologist discusses the art and science of long-term climate forecasting. Examines forty-year forecasts for seven locations that are vulnerable to climate change. Predicts that unless we actively work to reduce carbon emissions, weather conditions around the world will become unbearable. 2010.
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The Future of Ice: A Journey into Cold
by Gretel Ehrlich
Veteran nature writer chronicles living and traveling for six months in cold regions and speculates on climate change and its psychological and environmental impacts. Traveling in Tierra del Fuego, Greenland, and Wyoming, Ehrlich mingles personal and philosophical musings with dire predictions of the catastrophic consequences of global warming. 2004.
Download BR15857
The Ravaging Tide: Strange Weather, Future Katrinas, and the Coming Death of America's Coastal Cities
by Mike Tidwell
Award-winning journalist predicts global warming will lead to rising sea levels and intense destructive coastal storms. Tidwell contends that human and environmental processes, including overdevelopment and Bush administration policies, contributed to the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, and he urges a transition to clean, renewable fuels. 2006.
Download BR16862
Children’s Books
El Nino: Stormy Weather for People and Wildlife
by Caroline Arnold
Explains that "El Niño is the most powerful weather phenomenon on the earth and alters the climate across more than half the planet." Observes that the seasonal, warm, southward-moving current along the Peruvian coast occurs about every three to seven years, affecting humans, animals, and the environment. For grades 4-7. 1998.
Download DB47787
Can it Rain Cats and Dogs?: Questions and Answers about Weather
by Melvin and Gilda Berger
Answers such questions as these: What makes the weather? Does air have weight? How big are hailstones? and What is El Niño? Explains the effects of sun, air, and wind; the creation of rain, snow, and hail; and wild weather like thunderstorms, hurricanes, and tornadoes. For grades 3-6. 1999.
Download DB59637
Wild about Weather: 50 Wet, Windy & Wonderful Activities
by Ed Brotak
Dr. Ed discusses Earth's atmosphere, the seasons, wind, humidity, clouds, thunderstorms, tornadoes, hurricanes, weather forecasting, and the history of weather observation. Includes activities to explore these topics, step-by-step experiments, and projects such as making a barometer, thermometer, wind vane, or weather log. For grades 4-7. 2004.
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You Wouldn't Want to Live without Extreme Weather!
by Roger Canavan
Discusses the different types of extreme weather, how climate differs from weather, and how weather has shaped the world we live in. Includes a timeline, glossary, and other nifty facts. For grades 3-6 and older readers. 2015.
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Twisters and Other Terrible Storms: A Nonfiction Companion to Magic Tree House #23: Twister on Tuesday
by Will Osborne and Mary Pope Osborne
When Jack and Annie got back from their adventure in Twister on Tuesday (DB54852) , they had lots of questions. How do tornadoes form? What kinds of tools can help predict bad storms? Where did the biggest snowfall on record happen? How fast are hurricane winds? Find out the answers to these questions and more as Jack and Annie track the facts. For grades 2-4. 2003.
Download DBC02901
It Never Rains in Antarctica: And Other Freaky Facts about Climate, Land, and Nature
by Barbara Seuling
Odd facts about geography arranged by such topics as deserts and caves, mountains and islands, and weather and climate. "How the Earth Has Changed" collects info-bytes on fossils, catastrophes, and population—including, for example: in 6,000 B.C. there were 10 million people, now there are 6.6 billion. For grades 3-6. 2009.
Download BR18303