Quantcast
Moon predict weather lore | The Old Farmer's Almanac

Folklore: Does the Moon Affect Weather?

No content available.

Using the Moon to predict the weather

Martha White
November 12, 2021
Print Friendly and PDF

Farmers, sailors, and other sky watchers have long used the Moon to predict the weather. See if this folklore holds true where you live!

The next time that you look up at the Moon, consider this weather-related folklore from our Almanac archives:

  • In the wane of the Moon, a cloudy morning bodes a fair afternoon.
     
  • If the crescent Moon holds its points upward, able to contain water, it predicts a dry spell.
     
  • If the new Moon stands on its points, expect precipitation to spill out.
     
  • A winter full Moon is a time for long cold snaps.
     
  • A full Moon in April brings frost.
     
  • Sailors agree that the full Moon “eats clouds.”
     
  • Two full Moons in a month increase the chances of flood.
     
  • A pale full Moon indicates rain, while a red one brings wind.
     
  • A Christmas full Moon predicts a poor harvest.
     
  • The days following a new Moon or a full Moon are typically stormy.

Love folklore? See if you recognize any of these weather sayings and discover their meanings.

Astronomy

More Like This

No content available.

Comments

Ano-nymous (not verified)

9 years 6 months ago

A pale moon indicates rain because greater humidity will filter out more light rays. Dry wind may favor a reddish moon as low moisture will not block as much light from the red portion of the spcectrum, making the moon appear more red.

jaci (not verified)

9 years 10 months ago

I love these moon folklores but are there any on the planets like when I see the moon & Venus or mercury on the same night?

There is much folklore about the planets, especially Venus--named after the love goddess. She's beautiful but deadly. See our Venus page: http://www.almanac.com/content/venus-planet-paradox

Rita McClelland (not verified)

10 years 1 month ago

A ring around the moon. Count the stars therein. Rain will be coming in that many days.