Clouds as Warning?

I love clouds. Especially ones that look like a storm. But did you know that clouds can talk?

Lenticular clouds often form near or above Mt. Rainier (pictured). Lenticular clouds (clouds shaped like lentils) form because a mountain reaches up into the atmosphere so high - in the case of Mt. Rainier that is 14,410 feet. Its peak pokes up into the sky so high that air is forced to rise above it, where the air is much cooler and often the mountain emits a bit of warmth near the crest. Clouds begin to form that are shaped like " flying saucers" because of the shape of the mountain peak and the winds rising above. Lenticular clouds are indicators for a change in weather, often a prelude to chinook winds (warm dry winds).

Clouds like these appeared over Mount St. Helens just one month prior to its May 1980 eruption. Was it a warning?

Clouds don't always warn people about volcanic activity. There are many other indicators of a waking volcano. Seismic activity (earthquakes and tremors) in the area warn geologists today about a waking or active volcano. NOVA has created a FLASH version of how seismic activity works. In this demonstration you can also see how seismic activity is recorded.