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2003-09-12 - 7:01 a.m.

Weather Folklore

When I left home early yesterday the sky flamed, dyeing the morning a luminous pink. I immediately thought of the proverb used by sailors to predict the weather: Red sky by morning, sailor take warning. Red sky at night, sailor’s delight.

Although most weather sayings are based on superstition and folklore, the red sky rhyme seems to hold some truth and is partially based on scientific fact—at least in areas where storms move from west to east. For a red sky in the morning, the eastern horizon has to be clear while clouds are moving in from the west. The red sky is caused by sunlight reflecting off the clouds. Since most storms come from the west, a storm could possibly be on its way.

Driving home yesterday afternoon I noticed the leaves were bottom side up. According to another old tale, a sure warning a storm is brewing. At home I found Emma hiding in the bathroom behind the toilet, panting heavily. That cinched it. No need to waste time waiting for the local forecast on the 8s at The Weather Channel. A storm—or at least rain--was coming our way.

Before modern meteorology, farmers and sailors developed rules of thumb for the weather based on common observations. Despite the fact they were relying on folklore to predict the weather, they most likely were as accurate as present-day weather reporters.

No insult intended, Punxsutawney Phil, but I doubt a groundhog is a Weather Prophet Extraordinary. Yet, many of these old tales, usually rhymes, do have some valid scientific explanations.

When a halo rings around the moon or sun, rain is approaching on the run. The halo is caused by refraction of light through ice crystal clouds. These clouds, though similar to cirrocumulus, appear to be smooth instead of rippled. They indicate a possibility of an approaching storm system.

When dew is on the grass, rain will never come to pass. Nighttime cooling is necessary to form dew. This usually occurs best on cloudless, still nights, so the chance of rain is unlikely.

Mackerel sky, not three days dry. Mackerel sky refers to clouds that look like fish scales. These clouds are high, rippled ice crystals that show up in advance of a storm system and may predict rain.

Still, some of the weather folklore is probably little more than superstition:

• When the chairs squeak, it’s about rain they speak.

• When chickens scratch together, there’s sure to be foul weather.

• When you see a beaver carrying sticks in its mouth, it will be a hard winter. You’d better go south.

• Expect the weather to be fair when crows fly in pairs.

• When ladybugs swarm expect a day that’s warm.

Want to try forecasting your weather? Find a large rock and place it in your yard. If you can’t find a rock I suppose the neighbor’s kid would work just as well. Observe the rock (or kid). If it’s dry the weather’s clear; if it’s wet it’s raining; if it’s white it’s snowing; and if it’s gone a tornado has touched down in your yard!

Did You Know?

• Sound travels farther before a storm.

• Ropes tighten before a rain.

• Clouds cover two-thirds of the earth.

• Raindrops fall at speeds between seven and 18 miles per hour.

Before going to bed last night I checked Wunderground, 20 percent chance of rain. I was awakened around eleven by high winds, blowing rain and thunder. It was still raining this morning. So much for modern meteorology, I’ll put my trust in folklore!

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