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Classic Weather Folklore
"For every fog in August there will be snow in winter."
Not true but it was a good way to think about cooler temperatures in the middle of summer. But for fun, try this next August and see if it works out for the follow winter.
"Fog in January brings a wet spring."
Not always true, but it does take moisture to make fog, but there is no guarantee a wet spring.
“A halo round the sun or moon means it will rain within 24 hours.”
The halo is the refracted light going through ice crystals. Cold air aloft, can often be seen by the clouds they produce. Cirrus clouds often proceeds cold air at the surface. Since cold fronts can often trigger rain, if conditions are right, it could happen. But not always.
"When clouds appear like towers, the earth is refreshed by frequent showers."
This may be referring to cumulonimbus clouds that produce rain. I refer them to lumpy mashed potatoes or cauliflower when describing to kids. The problem is cumulus clouds don't always produce rain.
"If February brings drifts of snow, there will be good summer crops to hoe."
Extreme weather in one season doesn't always mean the next season, or year, will be impacted. However, it could be referring to a wet February bringing moist soil for spring and summer crops.
"A squeaking chair means it is about to rain."
Wooden chair may squeak due to a change in the temperature. This happens because of the contracting and expanding wood as the temperature changes.
Also moisture in the air will cause wood to expand then contract as the air becomes more dry. Like a lot of folklore, it may have been based on some truth, you really can't forecast rain based on how the chair sounds.
"Dew on the grass, no rain will come to pass."
Morning dew is more common on clear night when the temperature
and dewpoint temps. are close together. A clear morning does not mean a
clear, and dry afternoon. Our weather can change quickly, that's why it is
important to keep up with changes on potential storm days.
Animal Weather Folklore
"The hooting of an owl says the weather will be foul."
While animals have a better sense of pressure drops, often a precursor to
storms, they cannot be an accurate forecaster of foul weather. Owl's hoots, in some cultures, were seen as a negative omen. They were often associated with death.
"When chickens scratch together, There's sure to be foul weather."
Yes, animals are very weather sensitive. They react the the drop in atmospheric pressure. A drop, usually means a cold front is moving in, which can help produce rain, but not always. However, watching how animals react can let you know if weather changes are coming. Still as smart as they are, chickens do not forecast 'foul weather.'
"A January fog will kill a hog."
When the temperature and dewpoint are close to each other, and we have light winds, fog forms. Cold moist air settles near the ground. An hog, or any animal will experience even colder weather when there is moisture (fog) in the air. Will it kill a hog? Certainly, if it cold enough, but fog in January, or any other month, does not mean you will lose your hog.
"If the rooster crows at night, He's trying to say rain's in sight"
Roosters, like most animals, are weather sensitive, than humans. They will react to barometric pressure changes, but these changes do not always mean rain. It certainly might, but their forecasting skills are nothing to crow about.
" Squirrels gathering nuts in a flurry,
Will cause snow to gather in a hurry. "
Before satellite and radars, folks were out more watching the animals.
Predicting rain or snow was difficult (and it still is) but watching how the animals behavior changed is often used in weather folklore. Now we have more
advanced ways to predict snow, but keep an eye on how animals change their
"normal" patters. Could be a storm blowing in.
Insect Weather Folklore
"Flies bite more just before it rains."
Well, not true all the time, but we usually have higher dewpoints (moisture in the air) just before and during rain. I am told that it is harder for flies to fly in moist weather.
"If ants hills are high in July, the coming winter will be hard."
There are many folklore saying where the size of the mounds build by ants are used to forecast rain, or the winter. While these critters may be more weather aware than humans, there is no research to suggest ants can forecast winter condition 5-6 months out.
"Spiders won't work on a web, if rain is ahead."
Folklore says a spider will abandon his web work when it expects rain. No proof of this, but again, these 8 legged meteorologists can sense pressure changes.
Garden Weather Folklore
