Did you know there are weather mnemonics or sayings your kids can learn to predict the weather?
Some of these sayings go back to biblical times and have scientific evidence backing their validity. They can help your children know what the weather could potentially be under certain circumstances.
And while these weather proverbs won’t make your kids meteorologists, they WILL help them understand the weather and recognize atmospheric conditions that affect it.
Weather Mnemonics
Red Sky
The first mnemonics I have for you all refer to the same set of atmospheric circumstances that can be used to predict the weather. One is a well-known saying and the other is a quote from the Bible. Here they are.
Red sky at night, sailor’s delight. Red sky in morning, sailor’s take warning.
and
Matthew 16:2-3
He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red.
And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowering. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?
There is scientific evidence to prove that these sayings are true:
Red sky at night, sailors delight.
When we see a red sky at night, this means that the setting sun is sending its light through a high concentration of dust particles. This usually indicates high pressure and stable air coming in from the west. Basically good weather will follow.Red sky in morning, sailor’s warning.
A red sunrise can mean that a high pressure system (good weather) has already passed, thus indicating that a storm system (low pressure) may be moving to the east. A morning sky that is a deep, fiery red can indicate that there is high water content in the atmosphere. So, rain could be on its way.
Learn more about it in this article.
Mackerel Sky
This little phrase hints at stormy weather.
Mackerel sky, mackerel sky,
never long wet, never long dry.
A mackerel sky refers to cirrocumulus clouds that look like fish scales. They can precede a storm system.
A Ring
Ever notice a ring around the sun or the moon? Here’s what that can mean.
A ring around the sun or moon,
means that rain will come real soon.
A halo around the sun or moon is caused by refraction of light through the ice crystals in cirrostratus clouds. This can indicate that rainy weather may be on the way. The brighter the circle, the greater the chance.
A Still Wind
What will the weather be like when there is no wind? This saying will tell you.
No weather’s ill, if the wind be still.
A still wind is usually in the center of a high pressure system, thus, the weather will be calm.
Clear Moon and Bright Stars
What can the moon and stars tell you about the weather?
Clear moon, frost soon.
and
Cold is the night when the stars shine bright.
If there are no clouds in the night sky obscuring the moon or stars, the earth’s surface will cool quickly. That’s because clouds act as a blanket keeping heat in that the earth absorbed during the day.
Learn more weather sayings in this article.
Know anyone else who would like to learn these weather mnemonics? Share this post with them.
Many blessings,
