International Cloud Atlas, Abridged Atlas

World Meteorological Orgazination

Published by World Meteorological Organizatiion, softcover, illustrated
28 x 22 cm.


The International Cloud Atlas (Complete Atlas) is composed of two volumes, the first of which consists of a descriptive and explanatory text and the second of a collection of plates in black and white and in colour, designed to illustrate the text. It is a comprehensive work of reference, containing a detailed descriptive study of clouds and of the techniques for observing and reporting them, both by surface and by airborne observers.

Following the precedent set by the International Meteorological Organization in 1930 when the "International Atlas of Clouds and States of the Sky" was produced, the present "Abridged Atlas" has been prepared for the purpose of meeting the day-to-day needs of the mass of meteorological observers at surface stations. It contains a representative selection of plates from Volume II of the Complete Atlas, together with a brief descriptive and explanatory text adapted from Volume I to satisfy the purpose which the Abridged Atlas is intended to serve, and omitting such portions as are not consistent with this purpose. Detailed directions, supplemented by "Pictorial Guides", are given for the use of the CL, CM and CH codes. Users are advised to study the legends accompanying each photograph and to give specialattention to the code numbers printed on them. The plates are intended to illustrate the code numbers printed in heavy type.

There are 57 plates demonstrating the CL, CM and CH codes. To these are added a few photographs illustrating orographic clouds (plates 58-60), special clouds (plates 61-63) and meteors (plates 63-72). The reader is referred to the Complete Atlas for full description of meteors and for photographs of those meteors which are not illustrated in the present abridged edition.
A first draft of this Abridged Atlas was prepared by Mr. E. G. Bilham in accordance with the instructions given at the First Session of the Commission for Synoptic Meteorology. The final version was established by an editing committee consisting of the following members : Dr. W. Bleeker, Dr. M. A. Alaka, Mr. R. Beaufils and Mr. J. Bessemoulin. Messrs. Beaufils and Bessemoulin are responsible for the French translation.
DE BILT (Netherlands)
W. BLEEKER

President,Commission for Synoptic Meteorology March, 1956