PROGNOSTICATIONS OF THE WEATHER.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2722, 9 December 1881, Page 2

PROGNOSTICATIONS OF THE WEATHER.

The science of foretelling the weather is yet in its infancy, if, in fact, it ever be possible to know in advance the conditions of heat and cold, moisture and temperature. Many so-called weather prophets make numberless guesses, the public frequently applauding those which happen to prove correct, while "generously forgiving the much larger percentage of errors. The following described colors of the sky, at different times, are a wonderful guidance, [as many an observing farmer knows from experience. Sucli observations, and others of a similar nature, confirmed by daily experience of farmers and mariners, are better and safer to follow than the prognostications of the weather by any professor who foretells a rainy or windy day twelve months in the future. A clear sunset not only indicates fair weather, but there are other tints which speak with clearness and accuracy. A bright yellow sky in the evening indicates wind ; a pale yellow, wet ; a neutral gray tint, in the morning, a dry, calm day ; in the evening, veVy unfavorable weather. The clouds are also full of meaning and are in themselves many times very safe guides. If they are soft, undefined and feathery, the weather will be fine ; if if the edges are hard, sharp and definite, it will be rainy and windy. As a general thing, deep unusual hues betoken rain and wind ; while more moderate tints bespeak fair weather. If a dense, cloudy sky suddenly clears up in the north or northwest at sunset, it indicates wind from the direction of the clear space. A luminous circle, known as a halo, round the sun or moon, caused by the reflection of light through crystals of ice in the atmosphere, foreshadows a storm, wind, rain or snow. When the atmosphere is dense and in a condition to convey ordinary sounds long distances, foul weather is sure to follow. — “American Cultivator.”