12 Old Wives’ Tales About the Weather That Turned Out to Be Right
These old sayings about the weather might sound like superstition, but science has proven that many of them are true.
- Chris Graciano
- 3 min read
Long before there was professional meteorology, humans used folklore to forecast the weather for millennia. Many of these old wives’ stories have a startling scientific foundation, even though some of them seem fantastical. These 12 old weather proverbs have shown to be more accurate than anticipated.
1. “Red Sky at Night, Sailor’s Delight; Red Sky in Morning, Sailor’s Warning”
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This classic rhyme is based on how sunlight interacts with weather systems. A red sky at sunset means clear weather is likely ahead, while a red sunrise signals an approaching storm.
2. “When Cows Lie Down, Rain is Coming”
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Farmers have long believed that cows can sense an oncoming storm and will rest before bad weather hits. Scientists now suggest that changes in barometric pressure make cows more likely to lie down.
3. “If You Hear Thunder in Winter, Expect Snow Soon”
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Thunder in colder months often signals a rapid change in temperature. Meteorologists recognize this as a sign of an approaching cold front, which can bring snow within a few days.
4. “When Birds Fly Low, Storms Are Near”
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Birds are sensitive to atmospheric pressure changes and often fly lower when bad weather is coming. Low air pressure makes flying at higher altitudes difficult, forcing them closer to the ground.
5. “A Ring Around the Moon Means Rain or Snow is Coming”
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A halo around the moon is caused by ice crystals in high-altitude clouds, which often precede storms. Meteorologists confirm that these cirrostratus clouds can indicate approaching precipitation.
6. “March Comes in Like a Lion, Goes Out Like a Lamb”
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This saying describes how early March tends to have wild winter weather, while the end of the month brings milder spring conditions. Weather data supports this pattern as March transitions from winter to spring.
7. “Crickets Can Tell the Temperature”
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According to this tale, you can estimate the temperature by counting cricket chirps. Scientists found that crickets’ chirping rate increases with warmth, and a formula called Dolbear’s Law can calculate temperature based on their sound.
8. “Frogs Croak More When It’s About to Rain”
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Many people claim that frogs get louder before a storm. Research suggests higher humidity and falling pressure make frogs more active and vocal.
9. “When Leaves Turn Upside Down, A Storm is Coming”
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Tree leaves curl or flip before a storm due to changes in humidity and wind patterns. Scientists explain that increased moisture causes the softer undersides of leaves to absorb water and curl upward.
10. “Spiders Weave Smaller Webs Before Storms”
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Spiders are incredibly sensitive to air pressure changes. When a storm is approaching, they may weave smaller webs or even hide.
11. “The Stronger the Morning Dew, the Fairer the Weather”
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Heavy dew in the morning usually indicates clear skies ahead. Meteorologists explain that dew forms best under calm, high-pressure conditions, which often mean fair weather.
12. “If Smoke Rises Straight Up, Fair Weather Will Stay”
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When smoke from a chimney rises steadily, it means the atmosphere is stable with high pressure. If it swirls or sinks, it suggests low pressure and possible storms.