Transcript Means
Earth’s Weather Proverbs… Can they predict the weather? “Red at night, sailor's delight. Red in the morning, sailor’s warning.” “Mare's tails and mackerel scales make tall ships take in their sails.” “Clear moon, frost soon.” "A year of snow, a year of plenty." = “Ring around the Moon, rain or snow soon.” “When the dew is on the grass, Rain will never come to pass. When grass is dry at morning light, Look for rain before the night.” “If a cat washes her face o’er her ear, ‘tis a sign the weather will be fine and clear.” “When chairs squeak It’s about rain they speak.” “A sunny shower won’t last an hour.” “When the ditch and pond affect the nose, Look out for rain and stormy blows.” Earth’s Weather Proverbs… What in the world do they mean!? “Red at night, sailor's delight. Red in the morning, sailor’s warning.” Means: Weather usually move from west to east. High pressure (clear weather) pushes “stuff” in the atmosphere down towards the surface of the Earth (reflecting red light). If you were sailing west, and saw a red sky (@ night) you would be sailing into high pressure (clear weather). If the sky was red in the morning, high pressure would have already passed you (probably meaning low pressure is ahead…which is where storms usually occur). “Mare's tails and mackerel scales make tall ships take in their sails.” Means: Both tails and scales refer to cirrocumulus clouds (a warm front). Warm fronts bring quickly changing winds…which could mean trouble for a ships sail’s so…you should probably bring them in. “Clear moon, frost soon.” Means: If the moon is clear there are no clouds in the sky (nothing to hold the heat in). The ground will cool quickly allowing for frost to form. "A year of snow, a year of plenty." = Means: If the ground is always covered in snow it stays really cold. If the ground thaws and freezes multiple times, wheat and grain seeds waiting to grow are destroyed. “Ring around the Moon, rain or snow soon.” Means: The “ring” around the Moon is formed by light reflecting off of ice particles in cirrus clouds. Cirrus clouds are sometimes so high in the sky you can’t see them (unless they are reflecting light in a dark sky). Cirrus clouds are also a sign that storms may be approaching. “When the dew is on the grass, Rain will never come to pass. When grass is dry at morning light, Look for rain before the night.” Means: When you wake up, if the grass is wet (dew) there is not enough moisture in the air to rain. If the grass is dry, all the water is trapped in the air and will probably fall out (rain) during the day. “If a cat washes her face o’er her ear, ‘tis a sign the weather will be fine and clear.” Means: Static electricity (which occurs during dry weather) builds up in a cat’s fur (especially around its ears). To get rid of the static electricity the cat adds water to its fur (spit). So if a cat is licking its paw, then rubbing its ears it might be dry out! (clear weather). “When chairs squeak It’s about rain they speak.” Means: Wood absorbs moisture and swells (gets bigger). If there is a lot of moisture in the air, a wooden chair will absorb the water and swell…causing the chair to squeak when it moves. “A sunny shower won’t last an hour.” Means: Rain is formed by too much water in the air. The Sun evaporates water. So if it’s raining, and the Sun is out…don’t worry. The sun will evaporate the water soon, and the rain will stop. “When the ditch and pond affect the nose, Look out for rain and stormy blows.” Means: High pressure holds the air (and smells) close to the ground. Low pressure (when storms usually occur) allows the air (and smells) to rise up so you really notice them!