SRL THE SELF-RELIANCE LIBRARY
WEATHER & PREPAREDNESS
STEP 1 OF 7 · SRL-WEA-001
1-PAGE FIELD SHEET
Signs Bad Weather Is Coming
Purpose — Track cloud, wind, and animal-behavior trends over hours to catch weather changes before they arrive.
FIELD CHECKLIST
- High cirrus clouds checked for thickening/lowering over hours
- Cumulus build-up timing checked against a normal day
- Wind direction compared against the earlier prevailing pattern
- Temperature drop noted alongside any wind shift
- Animal/insect activity checked as a supporting signal
RED FLAGS — STOP AND RECHECK
- Sudden wind shift combined with a noticeable temperature drop
- Cumulus towers building unusually early in the day
DECISION RULE
Two or more independent signs pointing the same direction: prepare camp now, don't wait for rain.
- Judging weather from one glance at the sky
- Waiting for visible rain to secure camp
- Treating animal behavior as a standalone forecast
SAFETY NOTE
BEFORE YOU ACT ON THIS SHEETThese are short-range local cues, not a substitute for an actual forecast when one is available.
EMERGENCY REMINDERIf severe weather signs stack up — rapid cloud buildup, a sharp wind shift, a sudden temperature drop — secure camp and seek durable shelter immediately rather than waiting for confirmation.