Weather Lore

Before there were weather apps for your smartphone, Doppler radar, or the National Weather Service, our ancestors were busy observing their natural surroundings and noticed that animal behavior, clouds, and other elements of nature gave clues about the weather to come.

The result: weather folklore — sayings, rhymes and anecdotes that were passed down from generation to generation. Weather lore is one of our favorite subjects here at Farmers’ Almanac, and It’s been a reader favorite since our very first edition in 1818.

Below is a collection from our archives.

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August Weather Sayings: 6 Old Sayings That Still Matter

What are some traditional August weather sayings? Popular sayings include “For every fog in August, there will be a snowfall the following winter,” “Dry August and warm, doth harvest no harm,” and “When it rains in August, it rains honey and wine.” Most are folklore rather than reliable forecasts, but many grew from generations of close observation of weather and agriculture.

5 August Weather Sayings Worth Remembering featured image

August may be known for heat, late-summer storms, and the last of the Dog Days of Summer, but according to...

10 Early Signs of Fall in Nature featured image

The calendar may still say summer, but nature doesn’t always seem to follow the calendar. Maybe acorns are suddenly pounding...

August Fog and Winter Snow: The Old Folklore Behind “Beans in a Jar” featured image

According to an old weather saying, every foggy morning in August foretells a snowfall during the coming winter. Here is...

Can You Predict Rain by Smelling It? The Science Behind Nature’s Storm Scent featured image

Long before Doppler radar, weather satellites, and smartphone apps, people relied on their senses to anticipate changing weather. Farmers, sailors,...