Predict the Weather Yourself

In the age long before there were any meteorologists, weather forecasting, maps, models or any of the current tools used today in weather forecasting, people were able to successfully make accurate predictions and weather forecasts purely based on careful observations of the sky, their animals and mother nature.

Most if not all of the traditional proverbs used during that era were proven to be quite accurate and effective in forecasting weather conditions and today are still a viable and effective source. Looking up to the sky and observing thin, wispy looking high level clouds will generally indicate fair to fine weather conditions for that particular day.

However if the clouds are seen as smaller clouds, seemingly puffy in their appearance those would generally be referred to as cumulus or low lying clouds. If these specific clouds are observed during the early mornings of midafternoon with a notable more rounded peak and seemingly flatter base then there exists a high possibility of potential thunderstorms.

Using the moon to forecast weather conditions can be observed by close study of the sky at nights. If there are clear skies during the night, the surface of the earth will tend to cool more rapidly as the nonexistent cloud cover will allow the heat rising from the surface to be easily absorbed within the atmosphere. If the skies are clear enough to see the moon the temperature will fall at a more rapid rate allowing mist to form which will indicate chilly or cold temperatures for the following morning.

Clouds which have the general appearance of towering structures give us a strong indication that there will be heavy and frequent rainfall. Large white clouds that have the distinctive appearance of castles or cauliflower in the sky are a strong possibility of the presence of an increasing amount of dynamic weather conditions within those clouds.

Clouds looking like billowy cotton instead of having a towering appearance will tend to increase in their physical appearance and darken in color to reflect a more grey appearance which will probably produce weather conditions with strong thunderstorm activity.

We’ve all heard that parable of the ‘pot of gold’ at the end of the rainbow. Well a notable rainbow in the early hours of the morning is a sign that the current weather conditions to the west of that rainbow will be affected by showers of rain.

By looking at the moon and noticing a slight ring or halo around it, is an indication of a possibly advancing warm front, which generally means increased precipitation. Within these specific conditions, higher, and thinner clouds will become saturated with precipitation causing them to become thicker and heavier in appearance.

As they pass on front of the moon, our line of sight allows us to observe the ice crystals within the clouds to be reflected by the Sun’s light reflected by the moon thus forming the apparent halo seen. This appearance usually means an increased chance of rainfall.

A shade of grey seen just over the horizon means that a large area within that cloud cover is vastly affected by rainfall and depending on wind speeds and direction will determine how your current location will be affected.

The observation of a pastel colored red sunset suggests the atmospheric conditions as having a dry and dusty composition. With the typical weather conditions of Northern American latitudes seen to generally move in a westerly to easterly direction, the presence of this this red sky during a sunset indicates fair to dry weather.

Sailors over the years have used as a sign for good sailing conditions. However if the sunrise observed is noted to have a reddish color then this means the westerly dry air would have already passed over allowing for more stormy conditions to become present.

Today the average person can simply mount either a wireless or cabled outdoor weather sensor for their very own electronic weather station to provide a vast amount of information about the weather conditions within their specific area and surrounding area. Weather stations can be easily purchased with both simple and complex features specifically designed for the needs of the particular user.