Part 1: Mackerel Clouds
If you looked up over Squamish or the Sea to Sky in the last day, you may have noticed a rippled pattern covering the sky.
These are known as mackerel clouds.
They form high in the atmosphere when strong winds create wave-like patterns in moist air. They can also be an early clue that the weather is changing.
Experienced sailors and mountain guides have watched for these clouds for centuries because they often appear 12–48 hours before an approaching weather system.
Coincidentally—or perhaps not—the current forecast is calling for rain on Saturday, intensifying Sunday.
Does a mackerel sky guarantee bad weather?
Not exactly.
But it does tell you that moisture and stronger winds are moving into the atmosphere, making it a great reminder to check the forecast before committing to a long mountain objective.
There's an old saying:
"Mackerel sky, not twenty-four hours dry."
Like all weather lore, it isn't perfect—but it's surprisingly accurate.
The next time you see a rippled sky overhead, take a moment to appreciate it... then ask yourself what the atmosphere is trying to tell you.
The best mountain travelers don't just watch the trail.
They watch the sky.
Coming next: Part 2 – Sun Dogs
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