Today’s review is about CLOUD WARRIORS by Thomas E. Weber. It’s a relatively short nonfiction about tools used in weather forecasting. Weber also discusses the importance of communication and incorporates sections on environmental justice.
Author: Thomas E. Weber
Series: None
Age Category: Adult
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Publish Date: June 3, 2025
Print Length: 288
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Cloud Warriors Synopsis
Synopsis
The unprecedented inside story of the people pushing boundaries of science and technology to build better weather forecasts—providing life-saving warnings and crucial intelligence about nature’s deadliest threats
Killer tornadoes. Catastrophic hurricanes. Lethal heat waves. Across the United States and around the world, extreme weather events bring an unending torrent of death and destruction. One indispensable tool consistently offers the ability to help reduce the impact of these calamities: the weather forecast. For centuries, humans have sought to foretell nature’s next moves, from ancient farmers to trailblazers of the Space Age, who brought computers and satellites to bear on the problem. Now a new wave of advances, including artificial intelligence and data-gathering drones, makes it possible to accurately detect these fearsome events further in advance. They provide critical time to prepare and get people out of harm’s way—an undertaking made ever more urgent by the effects of climate change.
In a remarkable tale of innovation and perseverance, veteran journalist Thomas E. Weber takes readers into the world of the pioneers creating these game-changing forecasts. From storm chasers racing to hunt twisters and physicists unraveling the secrets of the atmosphere, from scientists studying how people react to warnings to humanitarian groups rushing to avert famines, Weber goes behind the scenes to show how predictions keep getting better. He explains what’s needed to turn these forecasts into actions that prevent tragedies and how anyone can become more weather literate to protect themselves in emergencies. Cloud Warriors will change the way you think about treacherous weather—and the power of being able to see it coming.
Cloud Warriors Review
I received a free, digital, advanced reading copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. My review is my own and reflects my honest opinion about this book.
CLOUD WARRIORS by Thomas E. Weber is a dive into the tools used to predict weather and communicate it to the public. Weber takes the reader behind the scenes in chapters focused on tornadoes, fire, the local forecast, hyperlocal weather, heat, hurricanes, and seasonal forecasting. He also takes it a step further and incorporates an environmental justice aspect as well as the importance of properly communicating weather to save lives.
CLOUD WARRIORS is an excellent book for any weather junkie, whether deeply entrenched or a somewhat interested amateur enthusiast. Although Weber is a journalist, this nonfiction is fairly approachable considering the amount of jargon present in any scientific field. Weber seems to take pains to make sure the content isn’t too dry. The various science explanations are fairly high level. And Weber breaks them up with anecdotes from the people working in those jobs or by sensitively recounting tragic weather events.
The chapters about tornadoes, fire, and hyperlocal weather were the ones I found the most interesting. I can’t say I fully understand the science behind how a tornado forms. But Weber explains the mechanisms behind it, albeit at a high level. Suffice it to say, it’s complicated and is why tornadoes are so hard to predict until they actually happen. The fire chapter was incredibly interesting and taught me a lot. The risk of fire in California has increased so much over the past 10-20 years that one particular power company is ahead of the curve. They urgently want to prevent any fires from their equipment. Instead they created their own weather center that seems to do a phenomenal job.
Last, and certainly not least, the hyperlocal weather chapters gives the reader insight into the intersection of weather predictions from government and private companies. This chapter emphasizes the progress made on hyperlocal forecasts. It also discusses why it’s important to have both government and private entities in on the weather. It was eerie to reference one politician’s argument back in the early 2000’s that all weather should be privatized. (Fast forward 20 years and that argument is circulating again.)
But CLOUD WARRIORS isn’t just about various weather models and institutions. Weber also takes time to provide examples of how minorities or impoverished people often live in hotspots within the community. The author provides an excellent example from Richmond, Virginia. While there he accompanied a team mapping temperatures in the city to see where they’re the hottest. Another aspect close to Weber’s heart is that of communication. To save lives, timely and pertinent communication is incredibly important. That also means thinking of ways to get the word out to those who don’t have technology (like the Amish) or those who live in rural communities.
The only chapter that I found a bit lackluster was the one about hurricanes. Most of the page time focused on different weather models, which is interesting in its own right. But the chapter needed the extra step of connecting the importance of those models to hurricane forecasting.
Overall, though, CLOUD WARRIORS is a great synthesis of the amazing tools available to weather scientists. Those who have a natural interest in the weather, whether beginner or veteran, will probably find something new to learn from this book. It’s a much-needed nonfiction in a world increasingly hostile toward scientific facts.
Rating: 4
Content warnings: death (historical)
Reading format: Kindle e-book
If you liked this book, you may also enjoy STARLINGS by Mike Stark.
I know nothing technical about weather but I do have a weird interest in it. This book sounds fascinating and I could see myself enjoying it!
I also don’t know much technical stuff about weather, but, like you, I’m fascinated by it, so I found this an interesting read. 🙂