The Many Ways to Predict The Weather:

Weather forecasting takes time and research. Here are just a few tips on scientific weather forecasting along with some interesting weather folklore.

Steps:
1. Watch for a steadily falling barometer with winds from the east/northeast. This usually indicates the arrival of a storm from the south or southwest within 24 hours.

2. Expect fair weather if the barometric pressure is steady and winds are coming from the southwest to northwest.

3. Look for the presence of cirrocumulus clouds that are in patches or in widespread layers. This is usually a sign of an advancing, large, unstable weather system.

4. Watch for the formation of cumulonimbus clouds early in the day. As they become more vigorous, the likelihood of severe weather increases.

5. Expect nice weather if the sky is blue and cloudless.

6. Expect nice weather the following day if the night sky is clear.

Here are some "older ways" to Predict the Weather:
Leaves on the trees turn over before it rains
When you see the white side of the leaves, air currents are rising - meaning a convection shower is on the way. The moisture in the clouds is taken higher in the atmosphere where pressure is greater and dew-point temps are lower. Aunt Dot was right.

Thunderstorms
Before a thunderstorm or rain storm animals (birds especially), get quiet. Before a thunderstorm cows will lie down.

Wooly Bears:
The more black segments, the worse the winter, and vice versa, with the harshest weather occurring during the black-segment weeks.

Groundhogs:
Don't forget the ever famous Groundhog in Punxsutawney, PA. . On February 2, Phil comes out of his burrow on Gobbler's Knob - in front of thousands of followers from all over the world - to predict the weather for the rest of winter.

. According to legend, if Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter weather. If he does not see his shadow, there will be an early spring.


Who are YOU going to believe?

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