Monday, January 11, 2016

WEATHER LORE AND SAYINGS


So the other night, we were looking out at the skies from the apartment and saw the beautiful red color.  I was reminded of the old phrase, "RED SKY AT NIGHT, SAILORS DELIGHT; RED SKY IN MORNING, SAILOR TAKE WARNING".  

Sure enough, the night was beautiful with a light breeze.  I believe we've had more than a few red sky mornings over the years with a stormy day following.

And I remember my Grandparents having a saying that went something along the lines of "IF THE CROW FLIES LOW, THE WIND IS GOING TO BLOW", meaning of course low flying crows indicated high winds were blowing in.




So that got us to wondering...what other weather lore/sayings do you know or have you heard?  I'd like to create a separate post later with all of them *they don't have to rhyme, ha.  And for those of you in other countries, do share local sayings as well!  I dare say weather and nature are connected the same everywhere!


13 comments:

  1. My grandma used to say "Thunder in January means a late spring." I have seen variations of this: "Early thunder, late hunger" "Winter thunder bodes summer hunger."

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    1. And my mom said "When frogs sing, it will bring rain."

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  2. when it's wet outside, it's probably raining.

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  3. "Little snow - big snow. Big snow - little snow" meaning if the snow flakes are small, you'll get more accumulation, but if the flakes are big, not much will fall. A bit of a mouth full, but it's generally accurate.

    Also "A wind from the south has rain in it's mouth" comes to mind.

    There's one about gulls being inland (rather than being on the water), but I can't for the life of me remember what it is.

    Love old weather sayings!

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    1. i know this, when the gulls are down here it is stormy on lake erie.

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  4. Here in UK we say - Red sky at night 'shepherds' delight red sky in the morning 'shepherds' warning.

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  5. A ring around the moon or sun means rain is coming

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  6. "Rain before seven, clear by eleven"

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  7. I have heard that if chickens stay out in the rain instead of running for shelter the rain will be short lived. However, if the chickens run for cover, it will be a long-lasting rain. I don't know if it is true or not. Some days, my hens stay in the rain and get soaked. Other days, the run like the rain will melt them. But, I have never watched to see if the information about chickens and rains is true.

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  8. Growing up on the farm, us ds would always, along with dad that it's 'colder than a well digger’s hinney' (kids had to say hinney but dad would say a_ _ )

    50 Old time Proverbs

    by Granny Miller
    1.Hornets’ nest built in the top of trees indicate a mild winter is ahead; nests built close to the ground indicate that a harsh winter is coming.
    2.The higher the clouds the better the weather.
    3.If the cat washes her face over her ear, the weather is sure to be fine and clear.
    4.Clear moon, frost soon.
    5.When leaves fall early, autumn and winter will be mild; when leaves fall later, winter will be severe.
    6.If March comes in like a lion, it will go out like a lamb.
    7.When ants travel in a straight line expect rain; when they are scattered, expect fair weather.
    8.If the first snow falls on unfrozen ground expect a mild winter.
    9.If bees stay at home rain will soon come; if they fly away, fine will be the day.
    10.A year of snow, a year of plenty.
    11.Dust rising in dry weather is a sign of approaching change.
    12.Rainbow at noon, more rain soon.
    13.Flowers blooming in late autumn are a sign of a bad winter.
    14.If cows lie down and refuse to go to pasture, you can expect a storm to blow up soon.
    15.The darker the woolly caterpillar’s coat, the more severe the winter will be. If there is a dark stripe at the head and one at the end, the winter will be severe at the beginning, become mild, and then get worse just before spring.
    16.When grass is dry at morning light look for rain before the night.
    17.If sheep ascend hills and scatter, expect clear weather.
    18.A warm November is the sign of a bad winter.
    19.When the chairs squeak, it’s of rain they speak.
    20.When clouds appear like rocks and towers, the earth will be washed by frequent showers.
    21.If birds fly low, then rain we shall know.
    22.Evening red and morning grey are two sure signs of one fine day.
    23.The first and last frosts are the worst.
    24.The winds of the daytime wrestle and fight longer and stronger than those of the night.
    25.When down the chimney falls the soot, mud will soon be underfoot.
    26.Rain before seven, fine before eleven.
    27.No weather is ill, if the wind be still.
    28.Cold is the night when the stars shine bright.
    29.When a rooster crows at night there will be rain by morning.
    30.Dandelion blossoms close before there will be a rain.
    31.When clouds look like black smoke a wise man will put on his cloak.
    32.A cow with its tail to the West makes the weather best; a cow with its tail to the East makes the weather least.
    33.The moon and the weather may change together, but a change of the moon will not change the weather.
    34.The sudden storm lasts not three hours.
    35.Chimney smoke descends, our nice weather ends.
    36.A rainbow in the morning is the shepherd’s warning. A rainbow at night is the shepherd’s delight.
    37.Three days rain will empty any sky.
    38.When smoke hovers close to the ground there will be a weather change.
    39.A ring around the sun or moon means rain or snow coming soon.
    40.Bees will not swarm before a storm.
    41.The more cloud types present the greater the chance of rain or snow.
    42.Catchy drawer and sticky door, coming rain will pour and pour.
    43.When the wind blows from the west, fish bite best. When it blows from the east, fish bite least.
    44.When leaves show their undersides, be very sure that rain betides.
    45.Birds on a telephone wire predict the coming of rain.
    46.When the ditch and pond offend the nose, then look out for rain and stormy blows.
    47.Pigs gather leaves and straw before a storm.
    48.Trout jump high, when a rain is nigh.
    49.Red sky at morning, sailor take warning; red sky at night, a sailor’s delight.
    50.When the night goes to bed with a fever, it will awake with a wet head.

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  9. my father was a trapper and bushman, he had so many, one was if the pinecones growing in abundance and high in the tees it will be a heavy snowy winter, I won't tell you anymore because my father was a notorious story teller, not sure if he made them up ,, well, he probably did, lol,,

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    1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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    2. Well now, I just found your blog while searching on this anti-mouse foam stuff (Dow Pestblock).

      I always figure winter is officially here when the little dudes are driven inside by the cold...

      Don't know how well the foam stuff will work at keeping mice out but am glad I found the blog because it sure has been enjoyable poking around.

      Doggone it, it sure would be nice if mice would just come into the garage out of the cold and just stay there and not do their business all over the place.

      JIM

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