In the olden days before Weather.com and Doppler 50 or whatever number they’re up to now, folks like you and me had to rely on signs from Mother Nature of bad weather. If you remember Aunt Bertha’s Bursitis and Uncle Jim’s bad knee then you know exactly what I’m talking about.

Signs of Bad Weather

1. The next time you’re out in the yard at the crack of dawn, look at the grass. If it is heavy with dew then chances of a coming storm are slim but if the grass is dry then there is a good chance the day may hold rain. Please remember if the sprinklers come on before you get out there or it’s rained during the night this method may not be very reliable.
2. Most weather fronts move from west to east so if the wind is blowing out of the west towards the east this indicates a retreating weather front but if the winds are blowing from the east, rain may be on its way. Deciduous trees turn their leaves upside down during unusual winds. This can be another indication bad weather is on its way.

Weather Rhymes

1. Remember the saying “Red sky at night sailors delight; Red sky at morning sailor take warning”. Dry particles in the air cause this slight redness in the sky. If this redness is in the west in the evening then dry weather is headed your way but if that same red sky is in the east in the morning then this can be a sign of wet weather to come.
2. Another little diddy, “Rainbow in the morning; Take this as a warning” means a rainbow in the west indicates moisture in the air. Remember most storms move from west to east.
3. Circle around the Moon; Rain or snow soon. Another weather rhyme. This circle is created by moisture in the air.

Clouds Can be a Great Indicator of the Weather

1. Clouds moving in erratic directions can indicate bad weather
2. Wispy high clouds commonly known as Mares Tails are thought to indicate rain within 36 hours. The same holds true for Mackerel Scales, patchy small cloud patterns that resemble fish scales.
3. Clouds building throughout the day can be an indicator of rain while cloud towers can mean afternoon rain

Humidity is a Sure Sign of Wet Weather

1. Humidity in the air can mean bad weather. The leaves of Oak trees and Maple trees curl in humid weather just as our hair frizzes.
2. Flowers smell best just before a rain
3. Swamps release methane just before a rain and usually smell their worst
4. Pine cones close during humid weather and remain open while the weather is dry
5. Humidity can cause wood to swell like wood floors and doors

Animals Can Sense Bad Weather

1. Cows often lie down before a storm
2. Birds, flying high in the sky indicate the weather will remain fair but if they fly low or many birds roost on wires or in trees this can mean a storm is on its way
3. Seagulls take refuge before a storm
4. Birds are quiet just before a storm
5. If birds eat during a rain storm an old wives tale says the rain will last a long time
6. Ants build the walls of their hills higher just before bad weather
7. Turtles will seek higher ground before a down pour
8. Cats will clean behind their ears before a rain

The next time you are outside looking at the sky wondering about the weather try one or all of these methods to see what the weather holds. It may turn out these methods and indicators are more reliable than we think.