The weather has always been a subject of fascination for the public, leading to the creation of various weather folklore sayings. These sayings have become deeply ingrained in our culture and are commonly used to predict the weather. A recent survey revealed that an overwhelming majority of UK adults, 75% to be exact, rely on folklore to forecast the weather. Among the most popular sayings are “red sky at night, shepherd’s delight,” used by 70% of adults, followed by “it can be too cold to snow,” used by 49%, and “cows lie down when it is about to rain,” used by 44%.
While 58% of UK adults believe that these methods hold some level of accuracy, an astonishing 64% of them even consider them to be more reliable than official weather forecasts. However, it’s important to note that almost half, 48%, of the adults who have relied on these traditional methods have been caught off guard. To help distinguish fact from fiction, the experts at the Met Office teamed up with radio DJ and television presenter Scott Mills to investigate the science behind these weather folklore sayings.
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According to Charlie Powell, a meteorologist and presenter at the Met Office, they were astounded by the number of people who still use traditional methods to predict the weather. While some of these sayings are supported by scientific evidence and can provide a general indication of the weather, others, such as cows lying down when it is about to rain, are simply old wives’ tales. Powell advises everyone to check the official Met Office forecast online or on their popular weather app for the most accurate information.
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Let’s take a closer look at some of these folklore sayings to determine which ones are based on science and which ones are mere myths:
Red Sky at Night, Shepherd’s Delight
A staggering 83% of people believe this saying to be true, and according to the Met Office, they are largely correct. This is because high pressure systems often bring good weather. High pressure traps dust and dirt particles in the air, causing blue light to scatter and leaving only red light, which gives the sky a reddish appearance.
It Can Be Too Cold to Snow
62% of people think this saying is a fact, but it’s not correct in the UK. While colder air holds less water vapor, reducing the likelihood of snow, there are many other determining factors for snowfall. In the UK, it is unlikely that we would experience temperatures cold enough to significantly affect the chances of snow.
Cows Lie Down When It Is About to Rain
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61% of people believe that cows lying down is an accurate way to predict rain, but according to the Met Office, this is false. There is no scientific evidence to support this claim. Cows lie down for various reasons, including resting, and there is no correlation between their behavior and the likelihood of rain.
Pine Cones Open Up When Good Weather Is Coming
55% of UK adults believe this saying is true, and they are correct. In dry weather, pine cones dry out, causing their scales to become stiffer and giving them an “open” appearance. In damp conditions, they become more flexible and return to a more closed shape.
Rain Before Seven, Fine by Eleven
32% of people believe that if it is raining at 7 am, the weather will be fine by 11 am, and they are often correct. Weather systems in the UK are frequently generated in the Atlantic and can move across the country rapidly. In many cases, four hours is enough time for the rain to pass. However, in certain conditions, such as when there is a lack of wind, rain can persist for a longer duration.
While these folklore methods can offer some insight into the weather, it’s important to rely on official forecasts from the Met Office for the most accurate and up-to-date information. So next time you see a red sky at night or cows lying down, take it with a grain of salt and check the official forecast for a more reliable prediction.
Source: https://t-tees.com
Category: WHY
