How can wind direction and pressure patterns aloft be estimated visually from the ground?

Answer 1

Wind direction and pressure patterns can be determined from the ground by observing middle- and high-level clouds. For example, in the Northern Hemisphere, if clouds are observed moving from southwest to northeast at approximately 3,000 m it would indicate that winds at this level are southwesterly. We know that when looking downwind, geostrophic wind blows parallel to isobars, with lower pressure on the left and higher pressure on the right. Therefore, when standing with backs to the direction from which the clouds are moving, lower pressure aloft will always be to the left and higher pressure to the right. From these observations, wind direction and pressure patterns aloft (at approximately 3,000 m), can be determined