Bug-Based Meteorology Part Of Forecasting Folklore

Wondering about the weather? Try buddying up to some bugs.

Forecasting folklore looks to birds instead of satellites and crickets instead of radar.

Bees, for example, are considered an early warning system for rain: “When the bees leave the flower patch, the rains are a’comin’.” At least that’s how the weather folklore goes.

And when flies get vicious, we get wet, according to folklore: “When two flies bite, rain is in sight.”

A more pleasant prospect than flies for weather watching are birds: “When birds fly close to the ground, it will soon rain.”

And then there’s “If a rooster crows at noon, the rains will come soon.” (What if the rooster crows at midnight? Cook him!)

If you’re already wondering what to expect next winter, keep in mind,”Hard rain in July brings blizzard in January.”

Bug-based meteorology also measures the temperature. Just listen to the crickets: Count how many times the cricket chirps in 14 seconds, then add 40 - that’s the temperature wherever the cricket is. Crickets will chirp faster when warmer weather is present, and the chirps slow down when it’s colder.