Mythical Ways to Predict a Storm (and How Experts Really Do It)

Sometimes it’s easy to predict an incoming storm—all you have to do is look outside and see the first dark clouds gathering in the distance. But other times, blizzards can appear in the Great Lakes region out of a week of perfect skies and mild temperatures. Preparation is key to staying safe in a storm, and at Paul Davis Restoration & Emergency Services of Woodbury, we are invested in your safety. The sooner you know a storm is on its way, the sooner you can take the necessary precautions to protect your family and your home. Take a look at our list of how centuries of people have predicted the weather—and how today’s experts really do it!

6 Mythical Ways to Predict a Storm

MYTH: If a dog starts to whine for no reason, you can expect a major storm.

Before computers, radars, televisions and radios, our ancestors relied on their furry buddies to help warn them of incoming disasters. Many of their predictions were based on an ever-present barometer, their animal’s nose—they thought that if Fido was wailing, a major storm was on its way to the Minnesota River Valley.

MYTH: Cats predict windstorms by scratching a post and predict snow by sitting with their back to the fire.

Would your cat’s actions prompt you to prepare for snow, (city residents)? Farmers used to believe that a cat turned away from the fire was the most telling sign that an impending storm was near. Good old Patches also could warn them of windstorms (if she was scratching a post) or rainstorms (if she was washing her face).

MYTH: If a cat licks its fur against the grain, a hailstorm is coming….

Before radars existed, sailors brought cats on board to help predict the weather (and to chase the rats that made their way into the sailors’ food supplies!). Hail was on the way if the cat licked its fur against the grain. If the cat sneezed, the sailors knew to prepare for rain, and if a cat was acting frisky, a windstorm was brewing!

MYTH: If the anthill is closed, a thunderstorm is on the way.

During the Zhou Dynasty (1046-256 BC) in China, people perfected the art of weather prediction via animals. But they weren’t drawing conclusions from cats and dogs—they were using insects! According to this proverb, a closed anthill indicated a thunderstorm in the near future. 

MYTH: Aching knees predict a storm.

How many times has your grandma claimed to predict an incoming storm—rain, snow or even a blizzard—with her aching knees? Research has shown that a change in barometric pressure can cause joint pain, so while grandma’s predictions certainly aren’t scientifically accurate, there may be some truth in those sore knees! 

MYTH: A ring around the moon means rain or snow is coming.

An old folk legend states that if you see a ring around the moon, you can predict rain or snow. Unfortunately, the ring around the moon is an optical illusion— you’re actually seeing diffracted light rays hitting ice crystals in our own atmosphere. So while the ring may indicate that a storm is on the way to the (region), you’re better off checking the radar to make a firm prediction!

How Twin Cities Experts Really Do It

No cats, ants or knees here—today, meteorologists predict the weather using radar, satellite and light detection (LIDAR) technology. With these devices, meteorologists can see large air masses and where they’re forming over the earth. Because air masses typically move quite predictably, scientists can predict weather patterns and types fairly accurately. It’s when they try to predict specific storms that things get a little less certain.

Blizzards

Minnesota residents who are familiar with lake effect will be the first to tell you that blizzard prediction is an inexact science! Blizzards depend on the arrival of a cold front in conjunction with moisture and low atmospheric pressures. While satellites and radars can predict these weather patterns a few weeks in advance, those patterns can change very quickly. Things are literally “up in the air” when these systems can either create a blizzard or bring in a warm front instead!

Wind

Minnesota residents who suffer through the lake effect each winter know that winds have the power to cause a lot of damage. Luckily, meteorologists use a variety of factors to predict windstorms. Besides the typical satellites and radar measurements, they also look at ocean currents to see how rough the surface is. Weather balloon data also measures and transmits wind speeds to scientists. When you see reports of high winds, pay attention and take precautions to stay safe!

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