Most landscape and nature photographers are obsessed with the weather. We pore over forecasts, consult various apps, and listen to TV meteorologists - yet it seems we're endlessly frustrated by reports that are often inaccurate and frequently unreliable.

Weather forecasting is not an exact science. Obviously. The atmosphere is complex and constantly in flux, microclimates impact conditions, and weather modeling is inherently limited since it's based on assumptions.

That said, there's also the issue of interpretation - or more accurately, misinterpretation. Let's say tomorrow's forecast calls for a 40% chance of rain. That doesn't mean there's a 40% chance it'll rain and a 60% chance it won't. The probability of precipitation is actually a formula, indicating that the forecast area will see at least 0.01" of the wet stuff. (Remember, the forecast area might be quite sizeable.) Knowing this, you can see how there is limited value in precipitation forecasts.

Bottom line, should you pay attention to weather projections? Yes, but only as far out as the next day or two. Forget about long-range predictions. As for precipitation? Note what they're saying, but don't take it to the bank. More important, know where high and low pressure systems are positioned, what's lined up behind them, and whether or not the fronts are stationary. Know the position of the jet stream.

After that, the ball is in your court. It's a good idea to learn for yourself how to interpret the situation in real-time for your specific location, which means understanding how to read the sky. This boots-on-the-ground forecasting will probably be more accurate than whatever the weather guy said, because you are on-site.

Once on location, you might also be out of range, which means no apps. Another good reason to know how to be your own forecaster.

There are two categories of clouds: puffy (cumuliform) and layered or flat (stratiform), and clouds form at different altitudes: low, medium and high.

The type of clouds you're seeing can provide clues regarding the weather. They can reveal how stable - or unstable - the atmosphere is, whether a storm may be approaching and how close it might be, and what the wind is doing very high up in the atmosphere.

Cloud bases that are descending indicate deteriorating conditions while those that are rising indicate the opposite.

Cumuliform Clouds

Everyone knows what cumulus clouds look like. These are created when heated air below is transported aloft vertically. They usually indicate fair weather. Generally, they begin to form a few hours after the sun rises and tend to dissipate before sundown. Cumulus clouds like to tease photographers who revel in spectacular mid-afternoon skies, anticipating a fantastic show at sunset, only to watch every last one of them completely disappear as the clock ticks closer to the golden hour.

In unstable air, though, cumulus clouds can transform and grow taller. If you see this occurring, there's a potential for stormy weather.

Altocumulus are also puffy but smaller than cumulus and higher in the sky, and they appear in masses, kind of like a blanket. If you see these on a warm, humid morning, thunderstorms might arrive later in the day. Altocumulus may also be present as "leftovers" following thunderstorms.

Cumulonimbus are billowy, too, but they're giants. These often form rapidly, and the massive formations can climb very high into the sky (up to 60,000 feet). An anvil shape will develop at the top. I absolutely love photographing these show-stoppers (see below). That said, they are clear indicators of heavy weather on the way. When cumulus clouds morph into cumulonimbus, you can expect the storm to arrive within just a few hours.

If you hear thunder, you're in range of lightning. Don't put yourself in a precarious position.

Stratiform

Layered clouds typically blanket the entire sky.

Stratus are gray, featureless, uniform, and usually deliver solid overcast. Drizzle, mist or light rain often accompanies stratus clouds.

Altostratus are flat, uniform and typically bluish-gray. When they form it often indicates that a warm front is approaching, and rain could be on the way within 24-hours.

Nimbostratus are dense, low, and produce steady precipitation (either rain or snow) which might last a few days.

Cirrus are very high, wispy clouds that can look like feathers. Composed entirely of ice crystals, they're usually the sign of an approaching front. Expect the weather to change soon.

You can find photographs of every type of cloud online. Become familiar with them if you aren't already.

Clouds wear their hearts on their sleeves, so to speak. They don't hide anything from us. Learn to speak their language and you can be your own weather forecaster.

Going back to apps for a moment, of course you're going to use them. We all do. Here's what's on my phone:

• My Radar - also includes real-time wind direction, mapped

• Weather Bug - this is my preferred source for the hourly weather forecast. It also includes real-time wind speed and humidity forecast.

• Clear Outside - forecasts cloud cover very specifically i.e. total cloud cover as well as a breakdown between high, medium and low. Also includes wind and weather information, but I use it primarily for the cloud forecast.

• Willy Weather - wind speed and direction predictions

• Sun Surveyor - enables visualization of the location of the sun and moon in real time

• My Tide Times - full disclosure: the tide app I used when I lived in coastal New Hampshire is no longer available. This is unfortunate, because it was great. I don't currently live near tidal areas, but My Tide Times has worked well enough when I've needed it on location.

• Aurora - includes KP index for specific locations, an aurora map, and current best locations. It'll alert you if things are looking at all promising.

• The Photographer's Ephemeris - last on this list, but definitely not least. The Ephemeris is also on my desktop.

Ultimately, we must work with the conditions, whatever they are. We seldom get exactly what we want. Sometimes the wrong weather turns out to be absolutely perfect.

Be adaptable. Know how to pivot. Embrace the unpredictable.

In Local News

Yesterday was Grand Teton National Park's 96th birthday. It is my favorite national park, and I'm lucky enough to live in its shadow.

If you don't know its history, it took many decades to establish this majestic treasure. Hard to believe, but true.

Initially, what Congress created consisted only of the Teton Range and several of the alpine lakes immediately beneath them. In 1943, President Roosevelt declared portions of the valley as Jackson Hole National Monument. More land was donated to the park by John D. Rockefeller in 1949. In the 1950s, everything was combined into what we now know as Grand Teton National Park.

Finally, in 1972, the Rockefeller Memorial Parkway was established, which connects GTNP to Yellowstone.