Nature is all powerful. It can control our lives and end it if it wants .We have seen so many thunderstorms destroy property and cause mayhem. In situations like this we are generally informed of their occurrences beforehand, but we can never predict everything completely. Everyone should have some knowledge of the weather to guess when they can expect rain and take shelter or expect a fine weather to go out and enjoy the day. Nature tells it all beforehand, by giving us its signs. We just need to understand its language.
Look at the clouds:
Cirrus
These are characterized by wisps or tufts and resemble the tail of a mare. It forms at the highest altitude of all clouds, indicates high barometric pressure which essentially means NICE weather. Their gatherings formed in cold countries however may mean a SNOW STORM.
Cirro-Stratus and Cirro-Cumulus
Convection currents at high altitudes in the atmosphere forms Cirro-cumulus which appears as small tufts containing water in super cooled state. Cirrus clouds spread extensively .almost indistinguishable from one another, a sheet forming the "mackerel" sky looking like scales. Their appreance indicates RAIN in the next 12-15 hours
Cumulus and Cumulo - Nimbus
Cumulus clouds are piled up formations of cloud masses observed in summers with distinct edges. Cumulus clouds streaked with bands of horizontal shape for Cumulo - Nimbus or thunder clouds. They indicate change in weather or a storm of short duration. Dark formations or these clouds adding up on top of each other are indications of a big storm.
Nimbus and Stratus
These are dense clouds formed lower in the atmosphere obscuring the sun from our view and indicating rainfall and mists. Stratus clouds go from horizon to horizon in follows. Nimbus clouds are shapeless and dark and can mean drizzles for a prolonged period
Signs of Bad Weather:
- Pale yellow sky indicates drizzles
- Well shaped thick clouds
- Rainfall preceding any winds indicates heavy and prolonged rains with strong winds
- Greenings hue preceding a thunderstorm implies heavy hail
- Formation of a Halo like circle around the sun means Rain. The larger the circle, the earlier the rain comes. It may be 36 hours for a small circle to 24 hours for a larger one. Rings around the moon also mean rain.
- Smoke from a campfire moving towards the ground instead of rising means possible rain
- Lack of dew and marked dryness of the grass in the morning means rain before nightfall
- Formation of a low pressure with light winds and atmosphere getting damp and heavy. The humid air stays low with a wild smell. All these indicate prolonged bad weather
- Night temperature higher than usual with clouds moving in opposite directions at higher altitudes,
- Fog near mountains means rain in the day
- Darkening of clouds near the afternoon with gathering of Nimbo-stratus/Cumulus clouds
- Change of winds after a period of good weather
- Winds blowing from South East or East
- Grayish dull mornings with gathering of dark clouds near the horizon. Slow formation of such clouds means long lasting rain.
- Sunset in dark clouds followed by indistinct shadowy stars means rain
- Puffball shaped clouds
Signs of Good Weather:
- Smoke from campfires going rising straight up vertically
- Heavy dew or frost in the morning indicates a good day as ground level humidity is connected with that higher up
- Indistinctly edged light colored clouds
- Distinct and bright stars in the night sky
- Winds preceding some rains indicate good weather in a short time
- The moon is brilliant with distinctly sharp edges with the night sky having hues of pale blue, orange, pink or rose
- The morning fog disappearing about 2 hours after sunrise
- Isolated high clouds with a breeze from the North West or West direction
- Change of wind direction during a storm implies the weather is going to get better
- Red ball shaped Sun at sunset
- Change of wind direction from East - North East - North
- Presence of Dew on the grass means No rain
- Prevailing wind with the leaves in the trees unruffled is good
Signs from Animals & Birds:
Animals and Birds are sense changes in weather and atmospheric pressure much better than humans hence their actions should be observed .
- Birds snuggle close together near tree trunks when there is a possibility of rain. They will avoid sitting high on trees or far apart and will stop singing or chirping.
- Elks descending down from their mountain pastures imply the advent of winter in a few days
- Migration of birds also means winter is coming
- Normally insects get more active before a storm, except bees .Their activity means good weather coming.
- Birds start flying lower than normal when rain and winds are approaching. It may come in a few hours.
Well, now that you know the signs of nature, try to be prepared beforehand to prevent getting drenched, getting pelted by hails or being blown away in storm.
