Here’s an interesting article on the ways used to predict weather in the good old days by the Farmer’s Almanac Staff for The Farmer’s Almanac.
Every generation has its own method for predicting the weather. So what did people do before Doppler radar? They looked to their surroundings and paid attention to signs from nature and the world around them. We combed our archives for timely advice from the past for our special “Throwback” section and came across this list of weather folklore.
Here are some of the signs from the “olden days” that people used to predict the weather. We ran this list in the 1837 edition of the Farmers’ Almanac.
Prognostics of the Weather
From the 1837 Farmers’ Almanac
- Candles. Candles, as well as lamps, often afford good prognostics of weather. When the flames of candles flare and snap, or burn with an unsteady or dim light, rain, and frequently wind also, are found to follow.
- Color of the Sky. Greenish color of the sky near to the horizon often shows that we may expect more wet weather. The most beautiful and varied tints are seen in autumn, and in that season, the purple of the falling haze is often a sign of a continuation of fine weather.
- Hogs. When Hogs shake the stalks of corn, it often indicates rain. When they run squeaking about, and throw up their heads with a peculiar jerk, it is a sign of wind.
- The Moon. When she looks fiery, or red, like the color of copper, wind is generally to be suspected; when pale, with ill-defined edges, rain; when very clear and bright, fine weather.
What do you think — does this weather lore it still hold up all these years later?
