Look at the Sky and Tell the Weather: Contributions to Meteorology of Eric Sloane

Eric Sloane was an artist with a distinctive style and a great interest in weather. In a 60-year career, he produced more than 15,000 works. As far back as 1941 with "Clouds, Air, and Weather," he produced artwork that was recognized for its educational value by agencies such as the US Army Air Corps (Air Force) and the general public. Among notable publications of his weather-related art were "The Book of Storms" (1950); "Eric Sloane's Weather Book" (1952)"; "How You Can Forecast the Weather" (1957); "Folklore of American Weather" (1963); "Look at the Sky and Tell the Weather" (2004); and many more. His work was recognized in 1985 by a special AMS award for "for pioneering contributions to public awareness of clouds, their beauty, complexity and scientific importance; for an artistic legacy to all who feel a sense of wonder when they look at a cloud filled sky." Sloane illustrations were used on the covers of several AMS publications about weather history. He settled in Connecticut, where the Eric Sloane Museum & Kent Iron Furnace are located. He is sometimes credited with the earliest television weather reporting network when he arranged for local farmers to call in to a New England broadcast station. This presentation will present selected examples of Eric Sloane's artworks and provide more information about his life story and general contributions to meteorology.