We know cats are a lot of things, but weather predictors? See what folklore says about these furry felines' forecasting abilities.
Read MoreWeather 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.
The month of November is very much known as a transition month, as fall blends into winter. Leaves have left the trees and nature prepares for cold. Did our ancestors watch for signs this month?
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Before Doppler radar and other high-tech gizmos, people relied on indicators from the natural world to predict the weather. See the list!
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When the city of San Diego hired Charles Hatfield to fix the devastating drought of 1915, they got more than they bargained for.
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The woolly bear caterpillar has long been associated with winter weather folklore. But why? And what does he turn into come spring? Find out!
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Hurricane season begins June 1st! What signs from nature did our ancestors watch to warn against weather's fiercest storm? Check out the list and watch the cows and alligators.
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"April showers bring May flowers" is the spring weather saying that everyone knows. There are dozens more behind it, most...
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Folklore says these animals are the ones to observe closely!
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Our ancestors observed bird behavior to predict the weather. How many of these old sayings about feathered forecasters, plucked from folklore, do you know?
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We know what it means, but where did it originate? Find out.
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