Part 15

50. Storms are most frequent in December, January and February. In September, there are generally one or two storms. If it blow in the day, it generally hushes toward evening; but if it continue blowing then, it may be expected to continue. The vernal equinoctial gales are stronger than the autumnal.

FOR THUNDER AND HEAVY RAIN.

51. If long horizontal strips appear with two or three edges spreading out at top into feathers, and passing over the middle of other clouds, generally there will be thunder.

52. If the clouds be uniformly black, or dark gray.

53. In May and July it thunders most; in May, expect thunder with a south-west wind.

54. If there be north-east or easterly wind in the spring, after a strong increase of heat, and small clouds appear in different parts of the sky; or if the wind change from east to south at the appearance of clouds preceded by heat.

55. If a morning fog form into clouds, at different heights, which increase in size and drive in layers.

56. If clouds float at different heights and rates, but generally in opposite directions.

57. If there be many “falling stars” on a fine summer’s eve.

58. If there be sheet lightning, with a clear sky, on spring, summer, and autumn evenings.

59. If the wind be hushed with sudden heat.

60. If clover contract its leaves.

61. If there be thunder in the evening, there will be much rain and showery weather.

FOR THE APPROACH OF THUNDER.

62. If an east wind blow against a dark heavy sky from the westward, the wind decreasing in force as the clouds approach.

63. If the clouds rise and twist in different directions.

64. If the birds be silent.

65. If cattle run round and collect together in the meadows.

FOR CONTINUED THUNDER SHOWERS.

66. If there be showery weather, with sunshine, and increase of heat in the spring, a thunder storm may be expected every day, or at least every other day.

ABATEMENT OF THUNDER STORMS.

67. If the air be very dry, with clear, yet cooler weather; or if one or two following days the atmosphere be heavy, with a little damp falling.

68. With a north wind it seldom thunders; but with a south and south-west wind, often.

FOR COLDER WEATHER.

69. If the wind change to the north and north-east.

70. If the wind change, in summer only, to the north-west.

71. If the wind shift to the east in summer only.

72. If the wind shift from south to south-east in winter.