10 Weather Proverbs That Are Actually True

Key Takeaways

• Many weather proverbs have a lot to do with high and low pressure systems.

• Low pressure systems tend to have a lot of moisture in the air, meaning rain could be on the horizon.

• Different types of clouds can also indicate how much moisture is in the atmosphere and the severity of a storm.

• Certain amphibians may also become more active when there’s an increase of moisture in the air.

• A colorful sunset can foreshadow something entirely different than a colorful sunrise.

What Weather Proverbs Are True?

It can be difficult to trust the old clichés we’ve heard time and time again. Which ones are old wives’ tales and which ones are true?

For example, are red skies at night a sailor’s delight? Or do red skies in the morning provide fair warning?

Let’s get to the bottom of this. Read on to find out which weather proverbs are actually true and how they can help you predict the forecast with greater accuracy.

1. When Dew Is On the Grass, Rain Will Never Come to Pass

The full version of this weather proverb is, “When dew is on the grass, rain will never come to pass; when grass is dry at morning light, look for rain before the night."

Because dew is often associated with the early hours of the morning, it’s easy to associate this proverb with the atmosphere at the start of the day. But, it actually relates to what went on overnight.

When it’s clear out, the ground tends to cool down because it’s radiating its heat into outer space. When it becomes cool enough, dew forms, much like condensation on a cold can of soda.

Therefore, the presence of dew means the atmosphere was clear enough for it to form in the first place.

Conversely, when it’s cloudy, it can prohibit the ground from cooling down to the point where dew can form. Although not exclusively true, the absence of dew can mean storms are brewing in the atmosphere.

2. A Ring Around the Sun or Moon Means Rain Will Come Real Soon

It’s always enthralling to see a halo, or ring, around the sun or moon. (Although, truthfully, you should never be looking directly at the sun.)

If you happen to catch this halo effect, it means light is refracting off the ice crystals in a cirrus cloud.

Cirrus clouds are indicators that moisture is in the atmosphere. However, these types of clouds don’t tend to bring about forceful showers since they’re quite thin and wispy.

But, you can still play it safe and keep an eye out for the possibility of a light rain shower.

3. When Clouds Appear Like Rocks and Towers, the Earth’s Refreshed With Frequent Showers

This one won’t surprise you: looming clouds indicate rain. To be more specific, high, tower-like clouds may be cumulonimbus clouds. They can reach an astonishing 75,000 feet in height, leaving a lot of room for moisture to accumulate.

Cumulonimbus clouds take on the look of large stacks of rocks. So, the next time you see a massive array of clouds floating in the sky, much like a tower, you can start placing bets that rain is on the way.

4. The Sharper the Blast, the Sooner It’s Past

A storm that swept in fast is usually stronger than one that builds slowly over time. A typical thunderstorm may only have winds of about six to ten miles per hour.

One with more strength may peak at 30 miles per hour. Although that sounds a lot more intimidating, it’s a good sign that the storm is likely to pass sooner than later.

Soft rain showers can often last for a few hours, if not days, but you’ll notice they carry relatively low winds when they do.

5. Long Foretold, Long Last; Short Notice, Soon Passed

Like a soft rainfall, a weather system with gradual changes may last longer than one that swept in on a wave of surprise.

Meanwhile, a quick change in the air pressure is usually one that couldn’t have been predicted with real accuracy.

6. Doors and Drawers Stick Before the Rain

Humid air often signals rain that’s about to come. In terms of high and low pressure systems, low pressure systems often bring about bad weather because they’re carrying a lot of moisture in the air.

They can also make wood expand. If your doors and drawers are made of real wood, there is a good chance they might stick before a shower.

7. Frogs Croaking In the Lagoon Means Rain Will Come Soon

Sticking with low pressure systems and rain, frogs are good indicators that a low pressure system may be moving in.

In order to be active enough to want to croak, frogs need high temperatures (since they’re cold-blooded amphibians) and moist skin.

If you hear them singing in the distance, there’s a likelihood that the humidity and water in the air are high – their favorite conditions. When the humidity gets high that’s often a good indicator that rain could follow.

8. If Your Joints Start to Ache, Rainy Weather Is at Stake

Frogs aren’t the only ones who can detect stormy weather.

Although it can be confusing, a low pressure system actually carries a high level of moisture in the air. That added pressure can cause the fluid in your joints to expand, creating a bit of discomfort.

When this happens, take a look to see what the weather forecast looks like. Rainy weather may be in the not-too-distant future.

9. Red Skies at Night, a Sailor’s Delight

This proverb also has a longer version. It is, “Red sky at night, sailor’s delight; red sky in morning, sailor’s warning.”

Although it’s one of the most common weather proverbs, it has quite a lot of moving parts. Most of it has to do with the light refracting from the sun and the pressure system in the air.

High pressure systems tend to usher in fair weather, while low pressure systems can bring in the opposite.

Typically, when you see a red sky at night, it means the sunlight is refracting through a high concentration of dust particles in the air. That’s an indicator of a high pressure system.

Conversely, when a sunrise dazzles in sparkling hues of red, pink, and orange, it could mean that the high pressure system has already passed, leaving room for a low pressure system to enter the scene.

10. Mackerel Skies and Mares’ Tails Make Tall Ships Carry Low Sails

This imagery is referring to a certain type of cloud shape. Mackerel skies are referring to altocumulus clouds while mares’ tails are referring to cirrus clouds. Typically, these types of clouds are good indicators that a low pressure system is moving in.

Both of these clouds tend to balloon, becoming thicker and thicker until the rain falls. For a sailor who’s paying attention, they might lower their sails and batten down the hatches in anticipation of a storm.

The Best Weather Proverbs That Are Actually True

It’s interesting to consider all the meteorological knowledge sailors need to maintain. It’s the best indicator for how their journey’s going to go. Farmers also need to read the warning signs if they want to be successful.

You, too, can take a look at the night sky, the morning dew, or the formation of certain clouds to gauge what the weather’s going to be like.

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