Usually, most of us rely on weather forecasts to know the upcoming weather. However, we can actually predict the weather by leveraging our observational skills and knowledge of weather patterns. Predicting the weather is no longer just a hobby, it can also be a useful skill if you enjoy outdoor activities, such as hiking or camping. By learning what we need to observe, you can predict the weather without the help of weather forecasters or technological tools.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Paying Attention to Air and Wind
Step 1. Check the wind direction
Wind is caused by air moving from areas of high pressure to areas of low pressure. Since the weather is moving from the west, the westerly wind indicates good weather because it indicates that bad weather is in the east. On the other hand, easterly winds indicate that bad weather is approaching where you are.
- You can use grass or flower petals to determine which direction the wind is blowing. Throw grass or flower petals and watch which way it flies or falls.
- You can also detect the direction of the wind by wetting your finger and keeping it still. The part of the finger that feels cold indicates the direction the wind is blowing.
Step 2. Watch for smoke from the campfire
Air pressure determines the direction of smoke ridges. In high pressure air, smoke will immediately rise to the top. In contrast, in low-pressure air, the smoke simply swirls downwards around the fire. If you see smoke swirling downwards, bad weather is coming your way.
When the smoke swirls downwards, it means bad weather is very near. The low pressure system is already in the area
Step 3. Notice if the atmosphere is calm
Before a hurricane, the low-pressure system will get rid of the wind patterns that normally blow in the area. As a result, a temporary calm is created before the storm hits. You will notice that there is no wind blowing so the atmosphere is calm and quiet. If you are near water, the surface will also be calm without movement. This calm indicates an approaching storm.
When that happens, you should also watch for other signs of a storm, such as dark clouds
Step 4. Take a breath
Close your eyes and sniff for smells. The air becomes damp as the storm peeks in, so the smell will get stronger. Before the storm comes, you should also pay attention to the presence of a compost smell coming from the plants releasing their litter. If you start to smell compost, it may be because a storm is coming your way.
If you're near a swamp, you'll probably smell swamp gas right before a storm. Swamp gas smells like rotten eggs because it comes from rotting plants
Step 5. Check the humidity in your area
Often the humidity is high before the storm arrives. So watch for signs of high humidity such as curling hair, curled leaves, and bulging wood. These signs indicate that a storm is coming.
- You can also find out the humidity of the air from the pinecone. If the pinecone closes tightly, it means that the humidity is very high. On the other hand, in dry air, pinecones will open.
- If you live in an area where humidity is always high, keep an eye on other indicators to forecast the weather.
Step 6. Observe the ocean waves
If you are near the sea, watch the waves. The waves are caused by the wind blowing the storm system from the sea. That is, soon it will rain on the beach.
Method 2 of 4: Watching the Clouds
Step 1. Notice the shape of the cloud
The type of clouds in the sky can tell a story about the weather. Generally, clouds that are white and look very high are a sign that the weather is good. Meanwhile, dark, low-hanging clouds mean rain or a thunderstorm is on the way.
- White and thin clouds usually indicate the weather will be sunny.
- Flat clouds mean that the air is in a stable state, while dense clouds show the opposite.
- Smaller clumps of clouds may seem unobtrusive, but on the same day they usually get bigger. If you see it, a storm is preparing to approach.
Step 2. Observe the position of the clouds
Clouds that appear to be in high places are usually still very far away. However, such a cloud could be a sign of danger six hours later. Lower clouds mean bad weather is imminent. As bad weather approaches, you'll see the clouds move lower and lower.
Step 3. Check the color of the clouds
Clouds come in a variety of colors, from white, gray, black, and brown. Each color indicates a different weather.
- Black clouds mean a storm is coming, but without strong winds.
- Brown clouds mean a storm is coming with strong winds.
- White clouds usually indicate good weather, although storms may come later.
- Gray clouds usually signal a new storm or light storm. However, the gray skies indicate that the storm will affect a fairly large area and last for quite a while.
Step 4. Watch the movement of the clouds
The direction of cloud movement can also indicate the weather. In addition, you should also pay attention to whether the clouds come together or move independently.
- Low drifting clouds indicate bad weather is approaching.
- Clouds that move up and spread indicate the weather is clear.
Method 3 of 4: Observing the Sky
Step 1. Notice the red sky in the morning
The weather moves from west to east, while the sun rises in the east and sets in the west. If you see a red sky in the morning, it means that the weather in the east, where the sun rises, is clear, while the weather in the west is bad. The difference in the weather is what makes the sky appear red. Bad weather in the west will move towards you because that's how weather patterns work.
- In addition to the reddish color, this also applies to the orange to dark red sky.
- If the evening sky is reddish, you can rest in peace. The red color at the end of the day indicates that the clear sky in the west is coming towards you, while the bad weather in the east is moving away from you.
- To make it easier for you to memorize it, just remember the following Western proverb, “The red sky is the evening, the shepherd is happy. The red sky in the morning the shepherd loses."
Step 2. Look for the rainbow to the west
A rainbow seen in the west indicates that the morning sun is refracted by the humid air in the west. Thus, it can be concluded that a storm is approaching, or bad weather is coming.
- If you see a rainbow in the east, it means the bad weather has passed and the sky will clear again.
- Remember the old adage, "Rainbow in the morning is the ultimate warning."
Step 3. Look at the moon in the sky
Notice how clearly the moon's face looks from where you are. If the moon is clearly visible in the clear sky, it could mean that the weather is starting to calm down. However, such a sight can also mean a low pressure system is starting to move into your area, causing dust to be removed from vision. Besides, it could be raining soon. If the moon is clearly visible, notice the halo that stretches around the moon. The halo appears when moonlight hits cirrus clouds, indicating rain is coming.
- The old adage in the West says, “There is a ring around the moon? It's going to rain soon." Rings around the moon indicate that hot air currents are coming, which will usually be followed by rain. The rings are caused by ice crystals passing through the moon.
- The double halo ringing around the moon can be a sign of strong winds accompanying storms.
- Another old Western saying goes, "The moon is cloudless, cold is friend." Clear skies indicate that there are no clouds that will hold the heat from the earth. That means the air will be cooler that night into the morning, though perhaps not to the point of freezing around.
Step 4. Count the number of stars in the sky
If you predict a storm is coming, pay attention to the stars in the sky. If you see more than 10 stars, it means you're about to have a small storm. However, if the visible count is less than 10 stars, be prepared for a major storm.
The small number of visible stars indicates that the sky is covered by thick clouds accompanying the approaching weather system. Conversely, if many stars are clearly visible, the sign is that the sky is clear
Method 4 of 4: Observing Animal Behavior
Step 1. Look for the presence of towering ant mounds
Before the storm comes, swarms of ants will raise the nest mound and make a steep side. If you see an ant grave rising to the surface, especially if it was lower before, there's a high chance that a storm is coming.
Step 2. Watch for birds flying or perched lower
When the air pressure drops before the storm comes, the birds feel discomfort in the ear. That is why birds will fly low to the ground or perch on low branches and power lines. You can also observe birds eating soil insects. These behaviors indicate that a storm is coming.
- If the bird is flying high in the sky, it means the weather will be sunny.
- If you are near the sea, watch the seagulls. If many seagulls perch on the beach. it means you have to prepare for the storm.
- Watch for birds perched in large flocks.
- Birds can also be calm before a storm. Birds that chatter and sing signify that the weather will be sunny.
Step 3. Watch bird migration, Birds are sensitive to changes in air pressure and will choose the right time to move to a place with good weather
If you see flocks of birds migrating in the sky, it means that the weather will continue to be good throughout the day.
Step 4. Watch the bird's behavior as it feeds in a storm
If the storm is short-lived, the birds will wait for the rain to stop before continuing to forage for food. On the other hand, if the birds continue to eat even though the storm is coming, it means that the storm will last a long time. Birds can sense air pressure patterns, so they can predict the weather.
Step 5. Look for bees and butterflies
Bees and butterflies will return home before the storm comes in search of safety. Especially for bees, this swarm also works to repair the hive. If you don't see butterflies or bees where they should be, such as in a flower garden, it may be because a storm is coming.
Step 6. Watch the cows in the meadow
The cows would flock and lie together on the grass before the heavy rain fell. The reason is because the air cools just before the storm. In cold weather, cows prefer to stick their bodies to the ground. So, the cow lying on the ground can be used as an indication that it will rain.
This method only applies to wild cattle, not domestic cattle
Step 7. Look for the snake
The snake will leave the nest before the weather gets bad, even if it is winter. Seeing a snake outside the nest when it should be curled up comfortably in the nest, could be because the weather will turn bad.
- Snakes can also predict earthquakes. If you see a snake crawling out of its nest and acting strangely, it could be because the area where you live is about to be shaken by an earthquake.
- Usually snakes come out of the nest when the sun is bright because they want to warm the body. Snakes do not like the cold because snakes are cold-blooded animals. A snake that comes out of the nest even though the sun is not shining bright and the weather is cold is a sign that bad weather is coming.
Step 8. Watch for turtles if you can find them near you
The tortoise will seek higher ground before the storm comes. So, look for turtles trying to move to higher ground. You'll probably see him walking the streets 1 or 2 days before the rainstorm hits.
Tips
- People with arthritis often report joint pain when air pressure or temperature drops suddenly.
- You can also check the grass. Dewy morning grass indicates that the weather will be sunny all day. Meanwhile, the dry morning grass accompanied by a gentle breeze indicates that a storm is coming.
- You can use an air barometer to measure changes in pressure. Prepare a special book to observe and record what happens when the air pressure changes. Pay attention, and you'll have your own weather forecast pattern that you can use in the area where you live.
Warning
- Some types of weather, such as hurricanes, are very difficult to predict. Be sure to keep an eye on the weather forecast in your area to find out how to protect yourself in case of a storm.
- Forecasting the weather in the ways above is not an exact science. Don't risk your life or anyone else's because of these experiments.
