Keith C. Heidorn was a meteorologist and climatologist.
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Wilson Bentley, a self-taught farmer in Vermont, captured thousands of snowflakes on film, revealing their intricate designs and leaving a lasting legacy in meteorology and the study of nature’s frozen wonders.
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Keith C. Heidorn, PhD, was a meteorologist and climatologist with nearly 40 years of experience in weather research, air quality assessment, and education. He authored three books, including The BC Weather Book and The Field Guide to Natural Phenomena, and ran The Weather Doctor website, celebrating the beauty of weather through science and art. Heidorn passed away in 2013.
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The Snowflake Man of Vermont
Public Domain Review | February | 2011
Wilson Bentley was a self-taught farmer from a small American town who became famous for photographing snowflakes. Using a special setup that combined a bellows camera and a microscope, he captured the amazing shapes and patterns of snow crystals in great detail. Keith C. Heidorn explores Bentley’s life, showing how his curiosity and hard work helped reveal the hidden beauty of snow and made an important contribution to both science and photography.
Atmospheric Environment | March | 1977
Scientists often need to know how much wind direction changes over a day, especially when studying air pollution. One way to measure this is the Consistency Index, which can be used with data recorded in degrees or compass directions. Researchers compare this Index with the standard deviation of wind direction. By doing this, they can set clear limits that help them decide whether the wind data is reliable enough to use in their studies.
Publications by this author
The Secret World of Optical, Atmospheric and Celestial Wonders
Co-authors: Ian Whitelaw | Firefly Books | August | 2010
This illustrated guide explores some of nature’s most dramatic and mysterious events, from eclipses and the northern lights to rainbows and rare light pillars. Dr. Keith Heidorn uses clear, simple language with photos and drawings to explain how these phenomena form and behave. Blending science, history, and folklore, the book shows both common sights and once-in-a-lifetime wonders. Sixteen identification guides help readers know when and where to see these natural displays.
Fifth House Publishers | July | 2005
This book explores everyday weather wonders like sundogs, halos, dust devils, snow pillars, lightning, rainbows, and more. Keith C. Heidorn—known online as The Weather Doctor—explains when, where, how, and why these events happen, focusing on the beauty and joy of ordinary weather rather than rare storms. His curiosity and strong understanding of meteorology help him clearly describe these common but fascinating phenomena, reminding readers to always pay attention to the sky around them.
From the Sunshine Coast to Storm Mountain
Fifth House Publishers | 2004
Keith C. Heidorn, Ph.D., known online as "The Weather Doctor," is a weather expert who studied at the University of Michigan and the University of Guelph. He has spent his life learning about weather and climate, working for the Ontario government and private consulting. Today, he shares his knowledge with the public, teaching about all kinds of weather topics, from how snowmen came to be to the science behind thunder and storms.
