Weather Proverbs and Prognostics: Rain and Clouds

Predict the weather with our collection of weather proverbs and folklore about rain and clouds.

• Unusual clearness in the atmosphere, with distant objects seen distinctly, indicates rain.
• Red sky at night, sailor’s delight. Red sky at morning, sailor take warning.
• Evening red and morning gray are sure signs of a fine day. Evening gray and morning red, put on your hat or you’ll wet your head.
• If it rains before seven, it will clear before eleven.
• Rain from the south prevents the drought, but rain from the west is always best.
• Anvil-shaped clouds bring on a gale.
• A cloud with a round top and flat base carries rainfall on its face.
• When small clouds join and thicken, expect rain.
• Black clouds in the north in winter indicates approaching snow.
• When there is enough blue sky to patch a Dutchman’s breeches, expect clearing weather
• A curdly sky will not leave the earth long dry.
• If you see clouds going crosswind, there is a storm in the air.
• Hen scarts and filly tails make lofty ships wear low sails.
• Clouds floating low enough to cast shadows on the ground are usually followed by rain.
• Mackerel sky, mackerel sky, never long wet, never long dry.
• If three nights dewless there be,  ‘twill rain, you’re sure to see.
• If a heavy dew soon dries, expect fine weather; if it lingers on the grass, expect rain in 24 hours.
• With dew before midnight, the next day sure will be bright.
• If you wet your feet with dew in the morning, you may keep them dry for the rest of the day.

Did we miss any? Share your favorite weather lore!

Credit: Kassie Rogeness