When wrens are seen in winter, expect snow.
PROVERBS RELATING TO CLOUDS.
STORM-PRESAGING CLOUDS.
[From the New York Herald.]
An English meteorologist, the Hon. F. A. R. Russell, who for many years has been a cloud observer, has recently given his conclusions as to the predictive value of the upper clouds. As a celebrated example of the clews given by cirrus clouds to coming weather he mentions that the Rev. Mr. Ley, on a fine day, noticing certain indications of the upper clouds in London, telegraphed from the strand to the meteorological office ordering warnings of a heavy thunder-storm for four o’clock that afternoon, which at the preannounced hour came crashing over the metropolis. Mr. Russell’s researches lead him to the conviction that the cirrus cloud is often a more timely monitor of approaching storms than the barometer, and that the “bar or ribbed cirrus,” though somewhat uncommon, is “at least equal in value to the falling barometer as a danger signal.” He finds also that “detached patches of cirrus, like little masses of wool or knotted feathers, in a clear sky and of unusual figure, moving at more than the average rate, precede disturbances of great magnitude.”
From Aristotle’s time the value of cloud signs in storm and rain prognostications has been recognized, but their interpretation has only recently become possible, since the movement of storm centres over wide areas has been systematically traced. The irregular motions of the high clouds, perhaps more than their forms (presenting the appearance of having been divided and torn by uprushing currents), indicate dangerous cyclones. If the equatorial air current in which cyclones are borne along is undisturbed by a cyclonic vortex, the clouds floating in its higher strata would sail on it at a uniform rate. But if we suppose that a storm is moving in the great current, the ascending air in the storm’s centre is ceaselessly invading the cloud stratum above. It is this uprushing air which divides the clouds. But as the interchange between the surface and upper air in the cyclone centre tends to retard the swift upper current which transports the cirriform clouds, the motion of these clouds, both over the storm centre and far out in front of it, must often be retarded. The very rapidly moving cirrus clouds which Mr. Russell says precede great disturbances must precede them at great distances from their centres—a fact which enhances their predictive value and shows the importance of observing them systematically. The terrible loss of life and property in the British gale of October 14, 1881, this writer thinks might have been less had the cloud portents been duly watched and heeded, as the cirrus indications of the day previous gave sufficient warning of the coming storm.
Anvil Clouds.
Anvil-shaped clouds are very likely to be followed by a gale of wind.
Appearances.
Soft-looking delicate clouds foretell fine weather with weak, moderate, or light breezes. Hard edged, oily appearing clouds, wind. A dark, gloomy, blue sky indicates wind; a bright, blue sky clear fine weather. Generally the softer the clouds the less wind. Small inky clouds foretell rain.