“They asked [Jesus] to show them a sign from heaven. He answered them, "When it is evening, you say, 'It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.' And in the morning, 'It will be stormy today, for the sky is red and threatening.' “ Matthew 16:1-3

Red sky in the morning, shepherd's warning; red sky at night, shepherd's delight Red sky at night, sailor’s delight; Red sky in the morning, sailors take warning A red sky at night suggests a clear sky for hundreds of miles beyond the western horizon, and no imminent frontal systems bringing rain. Red sky in the morning tells us little about what is approaching from the west, but only that eastern skies are largely clear. However when this corresponds to the zone of fine weather which often exists between two depressions, then it suggest that it is moving away eastwards with more bad weather not far away to the west. Evening red and morning grey, two sure signs of one fine day Morning grey probably refers to early morning mist, fog or shallow low cloud which often form on clear, near calm nights, but soon disperse after sunrise on a fine summer day.

A rainbow afternoon, Good weather coming soon. A rainbow in the morning, is the shepherd's warning A rainbow at night is the shepherd's delight. Rainbows

March is at the end of the long winter when the sun is moving northwards over the equator and the temperature contrast between high and low latitudes is greatest. This means that the strength of the westerly circulation is also near its maximum and vigorous depressions bring plenty of wet and windy spells across the Province in most years. The saying does reflect the changeable nature of spring weather with a high probability of different types of weather early and late in the month. When March comes in like a lion it goes out like a lamb, when it comes in like a lamb, it goes out like a lion

This is frequently true but not always. Thunderstorms develop during hot sultry afternoons, when there is little wind, but once formed they produce strong downdraughts and squally winds. Always a calm before a storm

Long foretold, long last; short notice, soon past - or - The sudden storm lasts not three hours. The sharper the blast, the sooner 'tis past The slow advance of a depression with falling pressure and thickening cloud brings bad weather often lasting a day or more, whereas rapid clouding over is more likely to be the precursor of a single shower or a smaller fast- moving depression.

Chimney smoke descends, our nice weather ends. When smoke hovers close to the ground, there will be a weather change. If smoke and birds go high there's no rain in the sky. If smoke and birds go low, watch out for a blow When down the chimney falls the soot Mud will soon be underfoot. Smoke tends to curl downward and linger rather than dissipate in low or falling air pressure. Therefore it is either raining or rain is on the way. Smoke

When clouds appear like rocks and towers, The Earth's refreshed by frequent showers. When White clouds cover the Heavonly way, no rain will marr your plans that day When clouds look like black smoke a wise man will put on his cloak. Clouds

Mackerel sky and mares' tails, make tall ships carry small sails High cirrus clouds often form well ahead of depressions and their associated fronts. Mackerel skies and mares' tails describe forms of cirrocumulus and twisted sheaves of cirrus respectively implying strong high-level winds. In the days of sailing ships they will have been rightly viewed as likely forerunners of stormy weather. If clouds be bright, 'twill clear tonight. If clouds be dark, 'twill rain - d'ye hark Bright clouds suggest sun shining through gaps between and on to cumulus clouds, which result from the sun heating the ground when the atmosphere is unstable. These clouds often dissolve towards sunset to give a clear, cold night. Dark clouds are usually deep and more extensive. They do not usually vary much with local solar heating or the lack of it, and often bring rain. Clouds

High Clouds- Cirrus Mid Clouds – Alto … Rain clouds - Nimbus Fluffy Clouds - Cumulus Layers of Clouds – Stratus Very low clouds - Fog

Cirrus Good Weather if winds from W to NW to N. Precipitation likely within 20 to 30 hours if winds steady from NE to E to S Cirrusostratus covering sky Precipitation likely within 15 to 25 hours if winds steady from NE E to S, or sooner if winds SE to S. Other winds bring overcast sky. Cirrocumulus Precipitation is likely if wind NE to S. Early Summer AM. Often afternoon thunderstorms. Other winds overcast

Cumulus with vertical growth Fair weather clouds building up vertically often indicate cumulonimbus which bring afternoon showers Altocumulus Some precipitation likely within 15 to 20 hours if wind is steady NE to S Other winds bring overcast sky Cumulus If clouds form from SW to NW precipitation with gusty winds and thunderstorms or only wind squalls are likely within 5 to 10 hours.

Cumulonimbus Precipitation likely and soon coming usually from SW W to N. Distant clouds often show an anvil shaped ciroform cap Nimbostratus Rain or snow clouds. Precipitation of long duration if winds NE to S or shorted duration if winds are SW W to N Cumulonimbus mamma Seldom seen low to middle clouds associated with severe wind squalls, hail, heavy precipitation, tornadoes and thunderstorms

Altostratus Precipitation likely within 10 to 20 hours if wind is steady from NE to S. Sun appears behind frosted glass. Other winds overcast sky Stratus Winds from NE to S may bring heavy precipitation. Other winds may bring only a light drizzle or overcast sky Stratocumulus Immediate threatening of bad weather from a sprinkle to heavy precipitation. If at head of cold front, gusty winds or thunder shower

When the wind is blowing in the North No fisherman should set forth, When the wind is blowing in the East, 'Tis not fit for man nor beast, When the wind is blowing in the South It brings the food over the fish's mouth, When the wind is blowing in the West, That is when the fishing's best! When the wind blows from the west, fish bite best. When it blows from the east, fish bite least. Fishing Tips

Crosswinds rule: observe which direction the lower wind is traveling and put your back into the wind. Then observe the wind direction of the clouds in the upper sky. If it comes from the left, a low-pressure system is moving in and the weather will get worse. If it comes from the right, the weather will improve. If the upper winds run parallel, same or opposite, the weather will probably not change. “Rain before the wind, topsail halyards you must mind. Wind before the rain, soon will make plain sail again” Rain falling ahead of a strengthening wind indicates a gale-force storm approaching. Wind ahead of a rain will die out as the rain arrives. The Wind

A ring around the sun or moon, means rain or snow coming soon. - Or - If the moon shows a silver shield, Be not afraid to reap the field, But if she rises haloed round, Soon well tread on deluged ground A corona is a visible ring around the moon or the sun. A wide corona is a sign of evaporating moisture, and is a good indication that the day or night will be clear. A corona which appears to be tight around the sun or the moon is a sign of a lot of moisture in the atmosphere, which is a sign of rain. Moon/Sun

“When the sun shines while raining, it will rain the same time again tomorrow.” “When stars shine clear and bright, will have a very cold night.” Moon/Sun

“When leaves show their underside, be very sure that rain betide” A period of damp air softens leaf stalks and bends them more easily in the wind as a storm approaches. This is especially true with aspen and maple leaves. When the forest murmurs and the mountain roars, Then close your windows and shut your doors. Pine cones, as they absorb moisture from an oncoming rain front, close up and become more supple. If the maple sap is running faster, it is going to rain. When a dogwood flowers, there shall be no more frost When there are lots of berries on the dogwood tree, it means its going to be a bad winter! Trees

“If the ash is out before the oak, you may expect a thorough soak. If the oak is out before the ash, you'll hardly get a single splash.” - Or - “If the oak is out before the ash, 'twill be a summer of wet and splash, But if the ash is before the oak, 'twill be a summer of fire and smoke. ” One or the other often applies each year! Trees

“When the dew is on the grass, rain will never pass” - Or - "If Frost or Dew sees morning light, No rain will come before that night” On a clear night without cloud particles, moisture is released from the air and collects as dew. “When grass is dry at morning light, Look for rain before the night” “No dew at night, rain by morning. No dew at morning, rain by the next day” Grass

“The daisy shuts it’s eye before rain.” Dandelion blossoms close before a storm Tulips, as well as other flowers, close before rain Flowers smell best just before rain Flowers

“When ditch and pond offend the nose, look for rain and storm blows” “Smells like it is going to rain” Smells are more distinct because the low barometric pressure allows captive odors from plants to be more easily released. Odours

The Birds and the Bees…..

“When swallows fly low, there will soon be rain.” The bugs they eat are forced lower by the humid air higher up. “When the swallow's nest is high, summer is dry When the swallow's nest is low, you can safely reap and sow.” “Robins singing on top of trees or in lower branches” “Birds are either not flying or are flying low.” Lower barometric pressure means less dense air, which makes it harder to fly. This indicates rain is on the way. Crows, woodpeckers, and blue jays are typically very noisy before a storm, whereas insects stop making noise. The Birds

Sea gull, sea gull, sit on the sand, It's never good weather while you're on the land. When sea-gulls fly to land, a storm is at hand. When the seagulls fly high it's a sign of a storm. The Seagulls

If bees stay at home, rain will soon come, If they flay away, fine will be the day. Flies will swarm, Before a storm. The Bees and Flies

Crickets chirp faster as the temperature rises. Crickets can help tell you the temperature. For Snowy tree crickets, count the number of chirps in 14 seconds then add 40 to get the temperature in o F. The Farmers' Almanac says for temperature ( o C) to count the number of chirps in 25 seconds, divide by 3, then add 4. Crickets generally do not chirp at temperatures below 13 o C or above 38 o C Crickets

Ants may become more active just before it rains, because the relatively warmer temperature of a low-pressure rain system heats up their blood. Ants marching in a line indicate poor weather Ants moving randomly indicate fair weather Spiders pick up the pace in fixing and reinforcing their webs just before poor weather. Other Bugs

“A cow with its tail to the West makes the weather best, A cow with its tail to the East makes the weather least” “If the cat eats hay, then wait because on the next day, it will rain like a dog's day” The louder the frog, the more the rain. When pigs carry straw to their sties, bad weather may be expected. If cocks crow during a downpour, it will be fine before night. When trout refuse bait or fly, there is ever a storm a nigh Animals

If Ducks or Drakes their Wings do flutter high Or tender Colts upon their Backs do lie, If Sheep do bleat, or play, or skip about, Or Swine hide Straw by bearing on their Snout, If Oxen lick themselves against the Hair, Or grazing Kine to feed apace appear, If Cattle bellow, grazine from below, Or if Dogs Entrails rumble to and fro, If Doves or Pigeons in the Evening come Later than usual to their Dove-House Home, If Crows and Daws do oft themselves be-wet, Or Ants and Pismires Home a-pace do get, If in the dust Hens do their Pinions shake, Or by their flocking a great Number make, If Swallows fly upon the Water low, Or Wood-Lice seem in Armies for to go, If Flies or Gnats, or Fleas infest and bite, Or sting more than they're wont by Day or Night, If Toads hie Home, or Frogs do croak amain, Or Peacocks cry Soon after look for Rain!

“When Windows won't open, And the salt clogs the shaker, The weather will favour the umbrella maker!” “When the chairs squeak, it's of rain they speak.” “Catchy drawer and sticky door, Coming rain will pour and pour.” “If salt is sticky, and gains in weight; It will rain before too late. Rain is near when your Curls disappear.” “When combs crackle in your hair, look for weather clear and fair.” Material

Oiled floors become damp before rain The increased humidity in the air often precedes rainy weather. Water condenses on to cold surfaces as air in contact is cooled below its dewpoint. Thus stone floors and walls in unheated building and with little or no covering will become damp. A piece of kelp or seaweed hung up will become damp before rain Salt remaining on the surface of the seaweed is hygroscopic, which means it will absorb moisture when the air is humid. This may mean the chance of rain is slightly higher. Sailors noted that ropes tend to be harder to release ahead of rain (they shrank). Musical stringed instruments sound as tension increased due to shrinking. Rush matting was found to shrink in dry and expand in hot weather

Sound travelling far and wide, a stormy day betide. When the night goes to bed with a fever, it will awake with a wet head. The first and last frosts are the worst. Headaches just before a thunderstorm Arthritis getting worst just before rain

The End THE END…..