Weather, in all its variety and majesty, is both a source of Earth's awe-inspiring beauty and a powerful, threatening force. With the brilliant technological innovations of recent times, including lasers, satellites, and supercomputers, scientists have revolutionized the science of accurate weather prediction.

As this intriguing work shows, the gap between the "art" and science of forecasting is rapidly narrowing, and the day when we will have accurate weekly and monthly, even yearly, forecasts is quickly approaching.

Jack Fishman and Robert Kalish, acclaimed authors of Global Alert: The Ozone Pollution Crisis, clearly and eloquently explain the makings of weather from everyday winds and precipitation to the worst weather disasters. They show how the power of weather still holds us at its mercy and affects us all. Perilous downdrafts, undetectable by airplane pilots, can hurl landing planes into the runway to their doom. Freezing blasts of snow and ice cause traumatic accidents on our streets.

Deadly tornadoes descend from thunderclouds, uprooting trees, devastating farmers' fields, and ripping buildings from their very foundations. And hurricanes, the most awesome storms on Earth, smash into the coast with vicious strength - flooding entire cities, lifting houses out to sea, and flattening acres of forest and farmland.

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Within the decade, scientists will have made a quantum leap in the ability to make accurate, longrange forecasts. Fishman and Kalish show us the stunning capabilities of a new brand of technology that is bringing about a revolution in weather forecasting. Radar, penetrating deep into the most menacing stormclouds, allows us to "see" the movement of raging winds so we can warn endangered communities before catastrophe strikes.

Imminent laser and satellite technology will soon circle our Earth and send clear images of developing storms that will help meteorologists make predictions with an accuracy undreamed of today. In addition to recent breakthroughs, this fascinating work also describes pioneering scientists throughout history who used great technological innovations, from the advent of the computer to rocketry, to further our knowledge of weather and climate. Meteorology has rapidly evolved into a cutting-edge science that has irrevocably increased our understanding of the Earth. This remarkable work shows us the force of weather in all its glory and danger.

And it paves the way for the revolution in weather science that will lead us into the future.