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What is weather lore? -

Weather lore is essentially a number of sayings, proverbs, and superstitions about the prediction of weather.

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What is weather lore? -

These weather predictions are usually based on observations of nature, including changes in weather and animal behavior, among others.

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What is weather lore? -

Astrology has also been closely associated with weather lore. But are any of these sayings true? Is there actually any scientific merit behind them? Let’s find out.

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“Red sky at night, sailor’s delight. Red sky in morning, sailor’s warning” -

Red skies at night means that the weather is clear, and that sunlight has bounced off rain clouds that have already passed. This is particularly true if you're in the West. Night red skies in the East might mean excess moisture and a possible storm.

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“Red sky at night, sailor’s delight. Red sky in morning, sailor’s warning” -

Red sky in the morning, however, is usually a sign of light bouncing off high clouds, which can indeed mean that bad weather is on the way.

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“Mare’s tails and mackerel scales make tall ships carry low sails” -

Mare’s tails are high cirrus clouds, which can be a sign of an approaching front, meaning bad weather might be on the way.

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“Mare’s tails and mackerel scales make tall ships carry low sails” -

As for the mackerel scales, these are cirrocumulus clouds that are impacted by shifting wind directions, usually meaning that bad weather is indeed on the way.

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“Sharper the blast, sooner ’tis past” -

This saying is true when applicable to cold fronts. These usually bring heavy, squally weather, but it generally doesn't last long.

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“If there is a halo round the sun or moon, then we can all expect rain quite soon” -

Yes, we can. The halo is caused by refraction of the light passing through ice crystals of high cirrus clouds. As mentioned previously, cirrus clouds can signal an approaching front.

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“A piece of seaweed hung up will become damp before it rains” -

This is somewhat true. Seaweed absorbs atmospheric humidity, but can do so in different types of weather (e.g. if dew forms). And yes, air becomes humid before it rains, but the correlation might or might not occur.

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“As the day grows longer, the cold grows stronger” -

This Scandinavian saying is related to the cool, turbulent weather that can occur in spring. This usually happens because the land is warm but the sea remains cold, resulting in weather changes.

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“Rain before seven, fine before eleven” -

How great would it be if this prediction was accurate, right? Well, don’t dismiss it just yet. In some countries, such as the UK, most rain comes as part of a frontal system that usually passes through in three-to-four hours.

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“If in the sky you see cliffs and towers, it won’t be long before there is a shower” -

Or “When clouds appear like rocks and towers, the Earth’s refreshed with frequent showers.” Both these expressions are usually true. High vertical clouds are an indication that air is unsettled and rain may occur as a result.

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“If woolly fleeces bestow the heavenly way, be sure no rain will come today” -

Indeed, cumulus clouds can look like sheep. These clouds are usually a sign of fair weather.

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“Dew on the grass, no rain will come to pass” -

Somewhat true. Dew forms when the surface cools down, which usually happens during the night, when the sky is clear. Of course, if the clear skies prevail, there will be no rain, but the weather can also change overnight.

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“Ne’er cast a clout, til May is out” -

This is more of a warning for those in the Northern Hemisphere. Basically don’t take your warm clothes off until spring. It makes sense, right?

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“When the bees crowd out of their hive, the weather makes it good to be alive. When the bees crowd into their hive again, it is a sign of thunder and of rain” -

This one not only applies to bees, but also to other animals. If they stop their daily activities (e.g. gathering food) and head for shelter, then you should do the same. This is usually a sign that bad weather (including things such as tornadoes) is on the way.

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“If a fly lands on your nose, swat it till it goes. If the fly then lands again, it will bring back heavy rain” -

We’re not sure about the nose specifically, but insects do fly lower when the air pressure is low, which is usually a sign of incoming bad weather.

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“Oak before Ash, we’ll have a splash. Ash before Oak, we’ll have a soak” -

There is no evidence of a link between the timings of oak and ash trees coming into leaf and the possibility of rainfall.

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“When the icy wind warms, expect snow storms” -

A low pressure system brings a warm air mass. When this warm air replaces the cold one, then bad weather is on the way.

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“Seagull, seagull sit on the sand. It’s never good weather when you’re on land” -

Seagulls would feed off the sea, and when the sea was rough, many would head inland. Nowadays though, seagulls can be often found inland as many can usually find food there.

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“A coming storm your shooting corns presage, and aches will throb, your hollow tooth will rage,” or “Joints ache, rainy weather at stake” -

Low atmospheric pressure (which is a sign of bad weather) may affect vasodilation, and consequently lead to a number of physiological reactions, including pain.

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“When windows won't open and the salt clogs the shaker, the weather will favor the umbrella maker” -

Moisture makes wood swell, which can make windows hard to open. As for salt, it absorbs moisture really well. High levels of moisture in the air are usually an indication of incoming rain.

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"A summer fog for fair, A winter fog for rain. A fact most everywhere, In valley or on plain" -

Fog occurs when vapor pressure causes the air to condense instead of evaporate. For this to take place, the air must be cool enough.

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"A summer fog for fair, A winter fog for rain. A fact most everywhere, In valley or on plain" -

For this to happen in the summer, the sky must be clear. Winter fog, however, can happen above a body of water (e.g. ocean or lake), because the air is more humid than the one above land. When this air moves overland, it will form fog and rain.

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"A cow with its tail to the West makes the weather best. A cow with its tail to the East makes the weather least" -

Cows usually turn their backs to the wind, and because in many places westerly winds usually means unsettled weather, this saying has a degree of truth.

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"No weather is ill if the wind be still" -

Clear skies with the absence of wind can indicate the presence of a high pressure, which means good weather. But it can also indicate other phenomena, such as the formation of a thunderstorm, hence the saying “the calm before the storm.”

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"No weather is ill if the wind be still" -

These conditions can also be present during a polar high, which can be very, very cold. So, the absence of wind may or may not indicate good weather. It really depends.

See also: Climate change—how extreme weather is affecting our world

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