Tired of the weather man lying to you? Did you know you can predict the weather just by paying attention to the sky and nature around you? Learn how with these simple tips.
Long ago, before weather forecasts existed, sailors and shepherds relied on clues from the sky and nature to predict oncoming storms or mild weather. By observing the clouds, sun, moon, plants and animals, they learned to detect and understand atmospheric pressure changes that affected weather patterns. In this modern age, we've come to rely on television and radio forecasts, and meteorologists with sophisticated equipment for up-to-date weather information. We've forgotten the simple methods our ancestors used to assess weather stability, some of which are still relied upon by farmers, sailors, campers, and outdoors people alike.
Understand clouds to understand weather
To accurately perdict weather, it is important to know the different typs of clouds and why they are the shape, size, colour, or altitude that they are. Below is a small list of common cloud types and what their formations mean.
Cumulus clouds are low in the sky, big, white and puffy, like cotton balls. They are usually associated with pleasant weather, but if they are very tall it can mean precipitation. If they are large and bundled together, and temperatures are very warm, this could mean heavy precipitation. Cumulus towers indicate a chance of showers later in the day.
Stratus clouds cover the sky like a blanket. They are flat, low, and are generally dark grey to nearly white. They typically indicate rain, drizzle, fog or mist. However, if they lift quickly in the morning, it usually means a fine day is forthcoming.
Cirrus clouds form very high in the sky. They are thin, wispy, curly or feathery, and generally occur in mild weather. However, they are often said to precede bad weather, especially if they look like long streamers.
Nimbus clouds are puffy, dark, low and are indicators of precipitation. They tend to fill up the sky, but not necessarily cover it like a blanket.
Cirrocumulus clouds are what is known as "Mackerel Sky". This funny name comes from the clouds' fish scale-like appearance. This type of cloud usually indicates moisture in the air, and in winter it precedes snowfall.
Cumulonimbus describes the towering storm cloud with an anvil-shaped top. These clouds bring rain, sleet, hail, thunder and lightning storms, and tornadoes.
In general, clouds moving across the sky in different directions with layers overlapping each other indicates instability and approaching bad weather. Cloud cover on a winter night means you should expect warmer weather due to the clouds preventing heat radiation.
The sun and moon
Pay attention to the appearance of the sun and moon to predict oncoming weather. Look for these indicators:
If the moon is bright and sharply-focussed, it means rain is coming soon
A ring around the sun or moon is a prediction of rain or snow within three days
If you can see the dark part of a crescent moon, this means nice weather over the next one to two days
A red moon usually indicates rain, and if very large, within half a day
Observe plants carefully
Getting down on your hands and knees to take a closer look at grass, flowers, fungi and pine cones can give clues to the oncoming weather. Look for these particular signs:
Check grass for dew at sunrise. If it is dry, this foretells clouds, strong breezes and possible rain. But if dew is present, chances are it won't rain. If it rained during the night, then obviously this method will be unreliable.
Some plants fold up their flower petals before a rainfall. Dandelion, clover, tulip, morning glory and chickweed are among this sensitive group.
Blooms tend to be more fragrant before a rain
An increased growth of mushrooms, moss and lichens indicates moist weather
Oncoming stormy weather winds can make the leaves on trees flip and toss and show their undersides
Pine cones have long been used as an indicator of precipitation. They change shape according to how much moisture is in the air. When the air is dry, the cones open up, but return to their normally closed-up shape as moisture increases.
Animal instinct and bad weather
Did you ever have a dog that bayed at the moon before a severe thunderstorm? Or maybe you've heard that frogs sing louder before it rains. Whether there is any truth to this depends on who you ask. Like humans, animals react to changes in air pressure in a variety of ways. Here are a few signs to look for:
All animals, especially birds, tend to get quiet before a storm
Cows tend to lie down before a thunderstorm hits
If birds are flying high, the weather will probably be fair
If large numbers of birds roost together on power lines, this usually indicates rapidly-falling air pressure and an approaching storm. Falling air pressure causes discomfort in birds' ears, so they seek relief from it by flying to low elevations.
Locusts are especially vocal when the weather is hot and dry
A severe winter is on its way if wasps build their nests very high
Old proverbs
From the wisdom of our ancestors and people before us comes a myriad of interesting proverbs and anecdotes describing natural ways to forecast the weather. Probably the most common saying is the old English, "Red sky at night, sailor's delight. Red sky at morning, sailor take warning." A red sky at sundown is supposed to idicate a beautiful day ahead, while a red sunrise points to instability. More often than not, this proves to be correct. Here are a few more amusing, if not accurate, proverbs:
- "A ring around the sun or moon means rain or snow coming soon."
- "When grass is dry at morning light, look for rain before the night."
- "Rain before seven, fine before eleven."
- "Cold is the night when the stars shine bright."
- "A rainbow in the morning is the shepherd's warning. A rainbow at night is the shepherd's delight."
- "Catchy drawer and sticky door, coming rain will pour and pour."
- "A sunshiny shower won't last half and hour."
- "Clear moon, frost soon."
- "No weather is ill if the wind is still."
- "Snow like cotton, soon forgotten."
