[http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/176118/Earth-sciences/60418/Understanding-of-clouds-fog-and-dew]
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Observation and study of storms
Storms, particularly tropical revolving storms, were subjects of much interest. As early as 1697 some of the more spectacular features of revolving storms were recorded in William Dampier’s New Voyage Round the World. On July 4, 1687, Dampier’s ship survived the passage of what he called a "tuffoon" off the coast of China. The captain’s vivid account of this experience clearly describes the calm central eye of the storm and the passage of winds from opposite directions as the storm moved past.
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