It is helpful to be able to forecast changes in the weather and to be able to interpret what the sun, wind and clouds are telling you. Here are some examples that I have collected from various sources but I'm not sure that they will always hold good or that the explanation given is necessarily accurate.
Some of the old country sayings are reputed to be based on close observation. Here are some examples:
'Red sky at night, shepherd's delight' is often true if the red sky is caused by the rays of the setting sun reflected on clouds very high in the sky, indicating that a cold front has passed and that there will now be a period of settled weather.
'Red sky at morning, shepherd's warning' is usually true if the sun's rays are shining on high clouds which signal a warm front approaching bringing rain with it.
'Rain before seven, fine by eleven' is based on the observation that most depressions, unless very deep, usually pass through in four hours or so (I'm not sure that this is so true of Scottish weather!). I assume that the times are irrelevant and were chosen in order to make a helpful mnemonic.
There is also supposed to be a useful way, known as the 'cross winds rule', of determining if the weather will improve or deteriorate within a few hours. Stand with your back to the true wind (i.e. ensuring that the surface wind is not distorted by natural features such as hills). If the clouds come from the left, the weather will usually deteriorate. If it comes from the right, the weather is likely to improve. If the clouds come from behind, the weather is unlikely to change.
I'd be interested in your comments. I imagine that these methods of forecasting only apply to the UK and are only likely to be helpful to our overseas members when they visit us.
Hugh
