Old wives tales or
truth? Let's check the facts!
"A RING AROUND THE MOON MEANS A STORM IS COMING SOON"
It turns out that we see the ring because there are cirrus clouds in the sky containing
ice crystals that refract the light into a ring. As the clouds thicken, the ice crystals
combine, forming rain or snow that can last for several days. See stars in the ring?
How many may determine how many days before the bad weather or how long it may
last. So say the "Old Wives". J
"RED SKY AT NIGHT, SAILOR'S DELIGHT, RED SKY IN MORNING,
SAILORS TAKE WARNING!"
The red we see in the sky is sun reflecting off dust particles in the air. Air full of
moisture won't be red. Since we can normally see the sky at a distance of 600 miles or so,
this means we are seeing the weather approximately 600 miles to the west of us. Weather
systems as a rule, move east about 600 miles per day. Thus, when you see a red sky at
night, you're seeing dust in the dry air around 600 miles to the west of us, and that dry
air is likely what we will have in our own area the next day. Along with the dust,
unfortunately.
"SWALLOWS FLYING WAY UP HIGH, NO RAIN IN THE SKY"
Good weather is normally accompanied by high pressure. With high pressure, there are
usually updrafts and that means bugs are carried high into the sky. Birds feeding on bugs
must fly high to feed,so, birds high in the sky means we are usually in for some good
weather. On the other hand, when birds are seen flying low, there's most likely a low
pressure system moving in and we'll probably be due a storm. This IS a Fact.
Watch those birds!
"IF LESS THAN FIVE, GET INSIDE!"
How far off is that thunderstorm? Well, this little saying helps you figure out how
far away you are from a thunderstorm. To do this, count seconds as "one
one-thousandths, two one-thousandths", etc. between the time lightning flashes and
you hear the thunder. Divide the number of seconds you've counted by five and that shouldl
get you the distance in miles from the last strike. Less than a five-second count means
the storm is barely a mile away and since storms easily move at 25 miles per hour or more,
you had better get off the bike and get yourself inside within the next couple of
minutes!!
Possum Kingdom Lake/ Mineral Wells
Weather
Forecast
Star Chart for PK |
