Weather Folklore: Is there any truth to them?

Before weather technology, people used traditional beliefs and sayings for centuries to predict the weather based on natural signs.

1. Red Sky at Night

Folklore: “Red sky at night, sailor’s delight. Red sky in the morning, sailor’s warning.”

Fact: This rhyme has some truth! A red sky at night often means dry air and a stable atmosphere (good weather), especially in the west. A red sky in the morning can indicate a weather system approaching from the east, often bringing rain.

2. Cows Lie Down Before Rain

Folklore: “When cows lie down, rain is on the way.”

Fact: Cows may lie down due to changes in air pressure or to keep a dry spot on the ground before it rains, though there's no solid scientific consensus. Still, it's a persistent belief in farming communities.

3. A Ring Around the Moon

Folklore: “Ring around the moon, rain or snow soon.”

Fact: The ring, or halo, is caused by light reflecting off ice crystals in high cirrus clouds—often the first sign of an approaching warm front and storm.

4. Frogs Croak Louder Before Rain

Folklore: Frogs sing loudly before a storm.

Fact: Frogs often become more active and vocal when humidity rises, common before rain. Their calls may also carry further in moist air.

5. Ants Build High Mounds Before a Storm

Folklore: Ants pile up dirt high around their holes to prepare for rain.

Fact: Some species do this as a response to falling barometric pressure or rising humidity. It can serve as an early indicator of incoming wet weather.

6. If the Wind Shifts, the Weather Will Too

Folklore: “Wind from the west, weather’s best. Wind from the east, the weather’s least.”

Fact: Winds from the west in temperate regions often bring stable, dry air. Winds from the east can signal low-pressure systems and rain.

7. Birds Flying Low Means Rain

Folklore: “When swallows fly high, the weather will be dry. When they fly low, rain we shall know.”

Fact: Birds fly lower when air pressure drops, and insects stay closer to the ground, often just before a storm.