Weather Folklore

Learn some of the science behind farmers' and sailors' folk sayings- some of them are actually true.

Compiled by Corrie Reed

Today, the local weather forecast is just a click away on either the television remote or home computer. Our ancestors did not have such luxuries, however. Instead, they would rely on careful observations of the skies to forecast the weather. Farmers and sailors often related these observations into simple rhymes that could be easily taught and remembered. The following maxims have a scientific basis; read on to find out what Grandpa was really talking about.

Red sky at night, sailor delight. Red sky in the morning, sailors take warning.
This saying is based on observation of atmospheric phenomenon. In the midlatitude regions, between roughly 30° to 60° North and South, storms generally flow from east to west along the jet stream. As the sun lowers in the west, the red color in the sky appears as a result of the red color reflected from the sun. The red sky at night signals that the jet stream has pushed the storm out of the your area. Red clouds in the morning indicate that the sun is rising in clear skies to the east with clouds approaching from the west- meaning the storm is approaching your area from the west.

 

Red Skies at Night

Red Sky


Variations:
Red sky at night, shepherd's delight,
Red sky in the morning, shepherds take warning.- United Kingdom

Red sky at night, shepherd's delight,
Red sky in the morning, sailor's warning.-United Kingdom

Mackerel clouds in the sky, expect more wet than dry.
This saying is also based on observation of the skies. Mackerel clouds refer to cirrocumuls clouds. This type of cloud contains primarily ice crystals and contain thin white layers with a texture that makes them look like patches of cotton, ripples, or scales without shadows. The appearance of cirrocumulus clouds indicate the approach of a warm front that will produce precipitation within the next 24 hours.

Cirrocumulus Clouds

Cirrocumulus Cloud


Variation:
Mackerel sky and mares' tails make lofty ships carry low sails.

The unmistakable herringbone pattern of mackerel sky and the long, wispy cirrus which is mare's tail are all high-altitude indicators that a moisture-bearing low pressure system is moving in from the west. This usually means an increase in wind speeds, a shift to blustery easterly winds, and increased cloud and precipitation within the next 24 hours or so. A wise captain avoids torn sails and damaged spars by taking his sails in.

When clouds appear like rocks and towers, the earth's refreshed with frequent showers. 

The characteristic cauliflower shape of summer cumulus clouds is an indicator of moist surface air rising quickly into cooler, drier air aloft. When towers (cumulus castellanus) appear, they indicate a relatively higher degree of instability between warm, moist air at the surface and cool, dry air aloft. Such towers may well grow into local thundershowers as the day progresses.
 

Cumulus Clouds

Cumulus Cloud



When rain comes before the wind, dories, gear and vessel mind; When wind comes before the rain, soon you'll make the set again.
 
When rain comes before wind, it is often the result of an approaching front, which frequently means unsettled weather for a day or two. If wind comes before rain, it is often just the downdraft from an approaching local rainstorm, which will likely blow over in a few hours.

When smoke hangs low, a storm is approaching.

The phenomnon of smoke hanging low can be attributed to the presence of a low-pressure system. These systems cause the atmosphere to become unstable and can signal the approach of stormy weather. 

Hazardous Weather Risks
Courtesy wikipedia.org

The various weather conditions described above have different levels of risk. The NWS uses a multi-tier system of weather statements to notify the public of threatening weather conditions. These statements are used in conjunction with specific weather phenomenea to convey different levels of risk. In order of increasing risk, these statements are:

  •  Outlook - A hazardous weather outlook is issued daily to indicate that a hazardous weather or hydrologic event may occur in the next several days. The outlook will include information about potential severe thunderstorms , heavy rain or flooding, winter weather, extremes of heat or cold, etc., that may develop over the next 7 days with an emphasis on the first 24 hours of the forecast. It is intended to provide information to those who need considerable lead time to prepare for the event.
  • Advisory - An advisory is issued when a hazardous weather or hydrologic event is occurring, imminent or likely. Advisories are for less serious conditions than warnings, that cause significant inconvenience and if caution is not exercised, could lead to situations that may threaten life or property. NWS may activate weather spotters in areas effected by advisories to help them better track and analyze the event.
  • Watch - A watch is used when the risk of a hazardous weather or hydrologic event has increased significantly, but its occurrence, location or timing is still uncertain. It is intended to provide enough lead time so those who need to set their plans in motion can do so. A watch means that hazardous weather is possible. People should have a plan of action in case a storm threatens and they should listen for later information and possible warnings especially when planning travel or outdoor activities. NWS may activate weather spotters in areas affected by watches to help them better track and analyze the event.
  • Warning - A warning is issued when a hazardous weather or hydrologic event is occurring, imminent or likely. A warning means weather conditions pose a threat to life or property. People in the path of the storm need to take protective action. NWS may activate weather spotters in areas effected by warnings to help them better track and analyze the event.
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    Try this:

    Have you ever heard the saying, crickets are a poor man's thermometer? It turns out that counting the number of chirps that a cricket makes is an accurate way to determine the temperature.
    Note:  This method only works if the temperature is above 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

    Use a stop watch or second hand and count the number of chirps made within a 14-second period. Then, add 40 to the number. The result should be within one degree of the current temperature. 

    True or False?

    Temperature prediction is more accurate during  the summer months.
    (True) Temperatures are more variable in the winter months and are less predictable. This is due to systems that are  stronger and move more quickly than those in summer.

    Forecasts that include precipitation are also more predictable during the summer months.
    (False) Most of the precipitation that occurs during the summer is due to showers and thunderstorms. They occur randomly and don't last very long. Conversely, the weather systems during the winter months are large and slow moving, making them easier to predict.

    Joint pain is a sign of stormy weather.
    (True) This is true at least for arthritis sufferers. Rapid changes in weather are often accompanied by pressure changes. It is this sudden change in pressure that is the cause of pain.

    FYI

    Everyone has heard of a rainbow, but have you heard of a moonbow?
    A moonbow (also known as a lunar rainbow, lunar bow or white rainbow) is a rainbow produced by the moon rather than the sun. Moonbows are relatively faint, due to the smaller amount of light from the Moon. They are always in the opposite part of the sky from the moon.

    Moonbow

    Moonbows are most easily viewed when the moon is near to full (when it is brightest). For other than those produced by waterfalls, the moon must be low in the sky (less than 42 degrees and preferably lower) and the sky must be dark. And of course there must be rain falling opposite the moon. This combination of requirements makes moonbows much more rare than rainbows produced by the sun.

    Few places in the world frequently feature this phenomenon. Cumberland Falls, near Williamsburg, Kentucky; Waimea, Hawaii; and Victoria Falls on the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe are widely known for moonbow occurrence. Moonbows are also commonly reported in Yosemite National Park in the United States as a result of the numerous waterfalls in the area, particularly during spring run-off of melting snow.