Cloudwatchers

Cloudwatchers is a term used to describe people and systems involved in observing and managing cloud-related environments, information, and phenomena. In cloud computing, a cloudwatcher collects and analyzes metrics, logs, traces, and events from cloud resources to ensure reliability, performance, security, and cost control. Responsibilities often include configuring dashboards and alerts, implementing observability patterns, conducting capacity planning, and sometimes automating remediation. Common tools and platforms associated with cloudwatchers include cloud provider services such as AWS CloudWatch, Azure Monitor, and Google Cloud Operations, together with open source systems like Prometheus, Grafana, and OpenTelemetry. The role is frequently linked with site reliability engineering, DevOps, and cloud operations teams, with emphasis on service-level objectives and incident response.

In meteorology and citizen science contexts, cloudwatchers are hobbyists or volunteers who observe cloud formations to infer weather conditions and contribute to data collection. They classify clouds by genera (cirrus, cumulus, stratus) and examine associated indicators such as altitude, lighting, and atmospheric stability. Observations may feed weather forecasts, climate studies, or public outreach, often using apps or networks that aggregate user reports.

The term is informal and its usage varies by domain; it is not the title of a single organization. Its meaning ranges from technical practitioners monitoring cloud infrastructure to amateur cloud observers. Both senses emphasize sustained observation, data collection, and timely action to respond to changing conditions.