Reading the sky

A growing cumulus with crisp edges and a dark, flat base has lift under it, a frayed one is dying. Plus cloud streets, blue thermals, spread-out shade, and the thunderstorm cloud that tells you to leave.

What you learn

• Tell a growing cumulus from a dying one
• Find the lift under the darkest base, on the upwind side
• Use cloud streets, blue thermals and warm ground
• Avoid spread-out shade and leave a cumulonimbus early

In playlists

• Weather
• Gliding and soaring

Also on

• Video course: Soaring