Weather Lore

“When clouds look like black smoke,
A wise man will put on his cloak.”

Thick clouds laden with large droplets of water look darker than the fair-weather cumulus clouds,

“When leaves turn their back ‘tis a sign it’s going to rain.”

Some trees, such as oak and maple, have leaves that will curl when the humidity is very high and the wind is blowing strongly. Both these conditions indicate an approaching storm.

“Evening red and morning gray
Helps the traveler on his way.
Evening gray and morning red
Brings down rain upon his head.”

Weather systems usually move from west to east. A reddish evening sky can be caused by sunlight shining through dry dust particles in the western sky. This dry sky may move overhead by morning. If the morning is gray in the east, it means the clouds have already passed you.

Conversely, if the evening is gray, it means the clouds have not yet reached you. Rain may be on its way.