Reading Weather provides a quick and simple way to understand how the atmosphere works, how to interpret and use weather forecasts before venturing outdoors, and also how to make your own forecast in the field by observing the changes in the weather.

Jim Woodmencey grew up hiking, backpacking, and, eventually, climbing in the Sierras. In his college years he worked as a summer mountain guide in the Cascade and Alaska Ranges.

He received a Bachelor of Science in meteorology from Montana State University in 1982, and then spent a winter working at the Alaska Avalanche Forecast Center as an avalanche and mountain weather forecaster.

Since then, Jim has lived in Jackson, Wyoming, where he spent fourteen summers working as a climbing and rescue ranger for Grand Teton National Park, and twenty winters as a helicopter ski guide.

Jim established his own weather consulting business, MountainWeather, in 1991, and worked as the on-air meteorologist for the local radio station in Jackson Wyoming for 20 years. Jim spends most of his time now teaching weather-forecasting and avalanche forecasting courses to the general public and to the United States Military. You can learn more about Jim and MountainWeather at www.mountainweather.com.

Jim is a member of the American Meteorological Society and is certified as an instructor with the American Avalanche Association.