WEATHER WARNING SIGNS
The changes in temperature, wind, moisture, air pressure, cloud formations, and amounts of precipitation that signal the onset of a storm and associated dangers. Advance knowledge of storms, floods, tornados, and other weather hazards now depends upon the observations and predictions of weather forecasters who receive a wealth of weather information from many sources. In an emergency situation you may have to depend upon your own ability to forecast weather. You can forecast only a few hours ahead if you only know the conditions in your local area. Careful observations of cloud formations, wind direction, and barometer readings will help you predict the coming weather. The signs of continued fair weather include a steady or rising barometer, a gentle wind from the west or northwest, and scattered cumulus clouds that look like fluffs of cotton in the sky. A rainstorm is approaching when the barometer falls, the wind blows from the south or southwest, and altocumulus clouds are gathering on the horizon. These clouds look like a flock of white sheep. Rain or snow will probably continue when the barometer drops with wind blowing from a southeasterly direction. Dull gray altostratus clouds will darken the sky. They are recognized by their thick even blanket. When the barometer is falling rapidly you may see towering cumulus clouds that can develop into giant cumulonimbus clouds which usually proceed a thunderstorm. If these same clouds have rounded dark bumps on their undersides, a tornado could be in the making. Falling temperatures are indicated by a clear night sky, a light wind from the north or northwest, and a steadily rising barometer. Specific weather patterns will vary according to your geographic location. In the Southern Hemisphere wind directions will be opposite those indicated above. As an example, a high will blow clockwise and a low counterclockwise in the Northern Hemisphere. The reverse is true in the Southern Hemisphere. Get to know your local weather patterns. Have a barometer available for your own use.
There are some historical sayings about weather that often hold true in North America. These are as follows:
a gray dawn means fine weather
rain rarely falls after dew forms
the higher the clouds the finer the weather
rain before seven, clear before eleven
clear moon, frost soon
red sky in the morning, sailor take warning
a ring around the moon or sun means rain or snow
small inky clouds bring rain
unusual sky colors bring wind or rain or both
dark clouds sweeping beneath stratus layers indicate wind and rain soon
the summer southwest wind may be scorching
a northeast winter wind brings snow
