Marine Observers Handbook
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Making the observations

The aspect of the sky is continually changing and the cloud formations in evidence at one particular time may not be typical, that is to say they may not be easily recognizable from the standard descriptions. If, however, the observer watches the sky over a period of time he will often find that doubtful cloud forms may be referred to a previous state of development that was typical. Hence the first rule in cloud observing watch the sky as often as possible and not merely at the time of observation.