Natural Weather Predictors

Indicators of Good Weather

• Cumulus clouds appear to dissolve and vanish
• Cumulus clouds are smaller at sundown than they were at noon
• Clouds are high – the higher the clouds, the better the weather
• The wind is from the west
• The sky is red at sunset
• Fog comes from the direction of the ocean
• Fog rises
• Birds fly high in the sky

Indicators of Bad Weather

• Cumulus clouds increase and ride lower in the sky toward evening
• Cirrus clouds merge into cirrostratus
• Clouds travel at different heights and speeds, and in opposite directions
• Clouds fly against the wind
• The sky is red at sunrise
• Yellow streaks are visible in the sky at sunset
• Smoke descends instead of rising
• Fog comes from a landward direction
• Fog settles down toward the ground
• The sun looks blurry or hazy, or has a halo
• A ring around the moon – the larger the ring, the sooner rain will come
• Stars twinkle more then usual
• Flowers are especially fragrant
• Birds fly low or do not fly at all
• Birds are nosier than usual
• Cows huddle in the field and turn their tails to the coming storm
• Bees stay close to the hive and will not swarm
• Insects bite more, and the bites itch more
• Snakes are less hidden than usual
• Stone walls feel damp

This information taken from the Horticulture Gardener’s Desk Reference