Weather Folklore May Help Predict Winter Weather

by Farmers' Almanac Staff | Tuesday, August 19th, 2008 | From: Press Releases

SAVANNAH, Ga. (Aug. 14, 2008) – Folklore says that “for every fog in August, there will be a snowfall.” Other winter weather indicators include: “if the first week in August is unusually warm, the coming winter will be snowy and long” and “if a cold August follows a hot July, it foretells a winter hard and dry.”

At Farmer’s Almanac, weather lore is acknowledged and appreciated, but it is not used in making long-range weather predictions. Farmer’s Almanac uses a mathematical and astronomical formula that has proven to be quite accurate, and doesn’t require those who are curious about the upcoming winter to head out to a farm to see if pigs are gathering sticks or corn husks are thicker than normal.

Weather lore passed down from sailor to farmer to business executive may seem a little silly to those of us in the 21st century who look online for the 10-day forecast. But it’s hard to discount these “natural forecasters” who make their observations over many years based on a strong cause-and-effect relationship between nature and weather. A weather lore forecaster takes cues from nature and predicts a short-term forecast for a specific area, rather than a long-term forecast for broad areas.

Some examples that can prove to be true include:

“When clouds look like black smoke, a wise man will put on his cloak.” Explanation: Thick clouds laden with large droplets of water look darker than the fair-weather cumulus clouds.

“When chairs squeak, it’s about rain they speak.” Explanation: Wooden chairs will absorb moisture from the air when the humidity rises, which causes them to squeak.

“If salt is sticky and gains in weight, it will rain before too late.” Explanation: Salt tends to draw moisture from the air. If the humidity is high, as it is during or preceding rain, salt will soak up this atmospheric moisture and clog the saltshaker.

The 2009 Farmers’ Almanac, which goes on sale Aug. 26, reveals the much anticipated forecast for our upcoming winter and features many “green” and money-saving tips from the experts at Farmers’ Almanac. To order a copy, visit www.FarmersAlmanac.com.

About the Farmers' Almanac:
The Farmers' Almanac, which features an orange and green cover, has been published every year since 1818. Available at grocery and bookstores nationwide, it contains useful and interesting articles, as well as long-range weather predictions, gardening advice, recipes and more. Editors Peter Geiger and Sandi Duncan are available for lively and informative interviews, either by phone or in person. Both love to talk about the weather, share useful Almanac trivia and advice, and offer tips on how to "get back to the simple life." Visit on the Web at www.FarmersAlmanac.com.