Old Wives Tales for Predicting Weather

Old Wives Tales for Predicting Weather

Predicting the forecast and seasons has come a long way since the days of just looking at cloud patterns; in fact the technology today is way better than what those guys in the past experienced. But what about those old wives tales about how to predict the climate? Can these old traditions predict weather patterns, or is that just crazy talk?

Dog Days

Can your pooch really predict what the weather will do? For some reason dogs may sense a change in the pressure when bad weather or a storm approaches. If your pup has a good sense of hearing, then Sparky may save your life during the next tornado or thunderstorm.  Keep the treats handy when storms are near, because your pup may just be the next best thing to a weather radio.

(Credit: This my dog, Luke!)

Red sky at morning, sailor’s take warning; red sky at night, sailor’s delight.

Boaters, sailors, fishermen, offshore divers take note! Dating back 2,000 years this tale is used to detect storm systems and water advisories for the day. If the morning sky is red, this predicts a storm is approaching that will arrive from the West. Apparently the red indicates there are a lot of dust particles in the air and will detect how rough the waters will be. This old wives tale is more widely trusted than most because it is uncannily accurate.

 (Credit: visualphotos.com)

Squirrels

This next weather shortcut may sound a little squirrelly but if you've ever been bird watching, which isn't really my hobby, and wanted to scope out what the squirrels are doing, then move your binoculars a little lower to see if they are building nests low in the trees. If you do see their dregs low, then that is an indicator that it will be a bad, cold, blistering winter. Sounds a little nutty to me…

 (Credit: farsideoffify.blogspot.com)

 

Groundhog Day

You know that little furry guy that sticks his head out around February to determine how long winter may or may not last? Well apparently he may decipher if you’re going to get a break from the cold weather or if you’ll continue to freeze your bum off.  According to tradition, if the groundhog sees his shadow, winter will continue for six more weeks. If not, then spring will come early. Supposedly a big celebration is made in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania each year where a crowd gathers to witness this event.

 (Credit: thechive.com)

Joints

Oh the aching pain! Why do you feel your joints throbbing when the weather changes? I’m not a doctor so I have no idea, but for some reason when the pressure drops or changes quickly, you can sometimes feel it in your joints that the weather is about to change. Whether it’s getting cold or it’s about to rain, the aching pain begins to take affect and you just know, it’s going to rain. This usually occurs in individuals with joint problems or retired athletes.

(Credit: peterfitness.com)

So, if you ever find yourself in a barren desert without any form of communication device to check the weather, or if your power is just out, you can use these old wives tales to predict the oncoming climate – hopefully. None of these have really been scientifically tested and proven, but it’s still fun to predict what good ol’ Mother Nature may have up her sleeve!