Mud.

When snow falls in the mud it remains all winter.

November.

A heavy November snow will last until April. (New England.)

If the snow remains on the trees in November, they will bring out but few buds in the spring. (German.)

Popping Wood.

Burning wood in winter pops more before snow.

Snow fertile.

Snow is the poor man’s fertilizer, and good crops will follow a winter of heavy snowfall.

Snow trees.

If the first snow sticks to the trees, it foretells a bountiful harvest.

Snowball.

Cut a snowball in halves: if it is wet inside, the snow will pass off with rain; if it is dry inside, the snow will be melted by the sun.

Snow-flakes.

If the snow-flakes increase in size, a thaw will follow.

Snow-moon.

If a snow-storm begins when the moon is young, the rising of the moon will clear away the snow.

Snow-health.

The more snow the more healthy the season. (John Ayers, Santa Fé.)

Snow year.

A snow year, a rich year.

As many days as the snow remains on the trees, just so many days will it remain on the ground.

It takes three cloudy days to bring a heavy snow. (New England.)

White Christmas.

A white Christmas, a lean graveyard.

Sleet.

Much sleet in winter will be followed by a good fruit year.

PROVERBS RELATING TO THE SUN.

Aurora.

Aurora borealis denotes cold.

Candlemas Day.

Cloudy Sunset.

When the sun sets unhappily (with a hazy veiled face) then will the morning be angry with wind, storm, and sand. (Zuñi Indians.)

Color.

Since the colors and duration of twilight, especially at evening, depend upon the amount of condensed vapor which the atmosphere contains, these appearances should afford some indications of the weather which may be expected to succeed. The following are some of the rules which are relied upon by seamen: When after sunset the western sky is of a whitish-yellow, and this tint extends a great height, it is probable that it will rain during the night or next day. Gaudy or unusual hues with hard, definitely outlined clouds, foretell rain and probably wind. If the sun before setting appears diffuse and of a brilliant white, it foretells storm. If it sets in a sky slightly purple, the atmosphere near the zenith being of a bright blue, we may rely upon fine weather.

Days.

Dark Clouds.

If the sun sets in dark, heavy clouds, expect rain next day.

If at sunrise there are many dark clouds seen in the west and remain there, rain will fall on that day.

Double Setting.

Sun setting double indicates much rain. Red sun indicates fair weather. Orange sun usually foul weather. Mock suns in winter are usually followed by intense cold.

Dull Color.

When the sun appears a pale or dull color, expect rain.

Drawing Water.

Rays of the sun appearing in a cloud forebode rain. This phenomenon is, in fact, caused by the image of the sun being reflected in an intervening cloud, the reflected image radiating in the cloud. It is noticed by Aristotle.

When the sun draws water, rain follows soon.

Sun drawing water indicates rain. If the sun draws water in the morning, it will rain before night.

Easter.

If sun shines on Easter, it will shine on Whit Sunday.

Fiery Red.

Friday.

If the sun sets clear Friday evening, it will rain before Monday night.

Golden Set.

Halo.

When the sun is in his house (in a halo or circle) it will rain soon. (Zuñi Indians.)

A solar halo indicates bad weather.

A halo around the sun indicates the approach of a storm, within three days, from the side which is the more brilliant.

If there be a ring or halo around the sun in bad weather, expect fine weather soon.

A bright circle around the sun denotes a storm, and cooler weather.

Haze.

Haze and western sky purple indicate fair weather.

Haziness.

A blur or haziness about the sun indicates a storm.

Hot Sun.

If the sun burn more than usual, or there be a halo around the sun in fine weather, “wet.”

Looming Twilight.

Twilight looming indicates rain.

Low and High Dawn.

A low dawn indicates foul weather. A high dawn indicates wind.

Murky Clouds.

When the sun rises with dim, murky clouds, with black beams, clouds in the west, or appears red or green, expect rain.

Pale Twilight.

Pale, yellow twilight, extending high up, indicates threatening weather.

Pale Set.

If the sun sets pale, it will rain to-morrow.

Pale Sunrise.

If the sun rises pale, a pale red, or even dark blue, there will be rain during the day.

Pale Sunset.

A pale sunset, a golden sunset, or a green sunset, indicates rain.

Red Clouds.

If the clouds at sunrise be red, there will be rain the following day.

Red.

A red evening indicates fine weather; but if the red extends far upwards, especially in the morning, it indicates wind or rain.

Red Morn.

Red Sky.

A very red sky in the east at sunset indicates stormy winds.

Red skies in the evening precede fine morrows.

In winter if the sun rises with a red sky, expect rain that day; in summer, expect showers and wind.

If the sun set with very red sky in the east, expect wind; in the southeast, expect rain.

Sun Spots.

Wet seasons occur in years when sun spots are frequent.

Red Sun.

A red sun has water in his eye.

Scorching Sun.

When the sun in the morning (to 9 a. m.) is breaking through the clouds and scorching, a thunder-storm follows in the afternoon.

When the sun is scorching (i. e., reflected from roofs and water surfaces), rain follows soon.

Sea-green Sky.

When the sky during rain is tinged with sea-green, the rain will increase; if with deep blue, the rain will be showery.

Spotted Clouds.

If the sun rises covered with a dark spotted cloud, expect rain on that day.

Spring.

If the sun appears dead, not bright and clear in the early spring, expect poor crops and very little rain. This sign usually comes in April. Dry winds may also be expected. (Apache Indians.)

Sun-dogs.

Sun-dogs indicate cold weather in winter or storm in summer.

Sunrise.

If de sun git up berry early and go to bed before he git up, it’s a sign it rains before soon. (Negro.)

If the sun rises clear, then shadowed by a cloud, and comes out again clear, it will rain before night.

Sunshining Shower.

Ten and Two.

Yellow Streaks.

Red or yellow streaks from west to east indicate rain in forty-eight hours.

Yellow Sunset.

A bright yellow sunset indicates wind; a pale yellow, wet; a neutral gray is a favorable sign in the morning, and unfavorable in the evening.

PROVERBS RELATING TO THUNDER AND LIGHTNING.

Birds.

If the birds be silent, expect thunder.

Cattle.

If cattle run around and collect together in the meadows, expect thunder.

Christmas Thunder.

Thunder during Christmas week indicates that there will be much snow during the winter. (Kansas.)

Death—Plunder.

Winter thunder is to old folks death; and to young folks plunder.

Distant Thunder.

The distant thunder speaks of coming rain.

Early Thunder.

Early thunder, early spring.

Early and Late Thunder.

Thunder and lightning early in winter or late in fall indicates warm weather.

East Thunder.

If the first thunder is in the east, aha! the bear has stretched his right arm and comes forth, and the winter is over. (Zuñi Indians.)

East Wind.

If an east wind blows against a dark, heavy sky from the northwest, the wind decreasing in force as the clouds approach, expect thunder and lightning.

Evening Thunder.

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

Thunder in the evening indicates much rain.

Fall Thunder.

Thunder in the fall indicates a mild, open winter.

February Thunder.

Thunder and lightning in February or March, poor sugar (maple) year.

First Thunder.

The thunder-storms of the season will come from the direction of the first thunder-storm.

First thunder in winter or spring indicates rain and very cold weather. (Dr. John Menual.)

With the first thunder the gods of rain open their petals. (Zuñi.)

Forked Lightning.

Frogs and Snakes.

The first thunder of the year awakes the frogs and snakes from their winter sleep.

Heat.

Lightning brings heat.

July Thunder.

Much thunder in July injures wheat and barley.

Lightning without Thunder.

If there be lightning without thunder after a clear day, there will be a continuance of fair weather.

March Thunder.

Thunder in March betokens a fruitful year. (German.)

May Thunder.

If there is much thunder in May, the months of September and August will be without it.

Morning Thunder.

Morning thunder is followed by a rain the same day.

When it thunders in the morning, it will rain before night.

North Lightning.

Lightning in the North will be followed by rain in twenty-four hours.

Lightning in the North in summer is a sign of heat.

North—south.

Lightning in the North indicates rain in twenty-four hours. Lightning in the South low on the horizon indicates dry weather. (Kansas.)

North Star.

Lightning under North Star will bring rain in three days.

NW. Thunder.

Thunder-storm from NW. is followed by fine, bracing weather; but thunder and lightning from NE. indicates sultry, unsettled weather. (Observer at Santa Fé).

North Thunder.

Thunder in the north indicates cold weather and rain from the west.

If the first thunder is in the north, aha! the bear has stretched his left leg in his winter bed.

North Wind.

With a north wind it seldom thunders.

November Thunder.

Thunder and lightning on the northern lakes in November is an indication that the lakes will remain open until the middle of December or until Christmas. (Said to be reliable).

Red and Pale Lightning.

When the flashes of lightning appear very pale, it argues the air to be full of waterish meteors; and if red and fiery, inclining to winds and tempests.

September Thunder.

Thunder-storms in September mean plenty of snow in February and March, and a large crop of grape wine. (German).

If it thunders much at the beginning of September, much grain will be raised the following year.

Spring Lightning.

Lightning in spring indicates a good fruit year.

Spring Thunder.

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.

First thunder in the spring—if in the south it indicates a wet season, if in the north it indicates a dry season.

South or Southeast Thunder.

Thunder from the south or southeast indicates foul weather, from the north or northwest fair weather.

Sheet Lightning.

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

South Thunder.

If the first thunder is in the south, aha! the bear has stretched his right leg in his winter bed. (Zuñi Indians.)

Summer Lightning.

Lightning in summer indicates good healthy weather.

West Thunder.

If the first thunder is in the west, aha! the bear has stretched his left arm in his winter bed. (Zuñi Indians.)

Winter Thunder.

When thunder is heard in winter, it indicates cold weather. Thunder in the north indicates dry weather.

Thunder in winter means famine in summer.

PROVERBS RELATING TO TREES.

Ash and Oak.

Dead Branches.

Dead branches falling in calm weather indicate rain.

Leaves.

Early falling leaves indicate an early fall.

Logs.

An easy-splitting log indicates rain.

Leaves.

Leaves turned up so as to show the underside indicate rain.

Maple.

When the leaves of the sugar-maple tree are turned upside down, expect rain.

Aches and Pains.

Blast.

Barometer.

Backing Wind.

Brisk Wind.

A brisk wind generally precedes rain.

Changing Wind.

It is a sign of continued fine weather when the wind changes during the day so as to follow the sun.

Winds changing from foul to fair during the night are not permanent.

Candlemas Day.

Clear Sunset.

Chenook Wind.

A Chenook wind is a warm wind which comes from the mouth of the Columbia river or Chenook Point. A Walla Walla wind is a cold wind which blows down the Columbia river. (Indian, North Pacific.)

Drought and Blast.

East Wind.

In summer, if the wind changes to the east, expect cooler weather.

When the east wind toucheth it, it shall wither. (Ezekiel, chap. xvii, 10.)

And, behold, seven thin ears and blasted with the east wind came up. (Genesis, xli, 6.)

The east wind brought the locust. (Exodus, x, 13.)

God prepared a vehement east wind. (Jonah, chap. iv, 8.)

The east wind hath broken thee in the midst of the seas. (Eziekel, chap. xvii, 26.)

An east wind brings no good to man or beast.

Easter Sunday.

As the wind blows on Easter Sunday from 8 a. m. to 12 m., the wind will be from that direction for the next forty days. (Chippewa Indians.)

Equinox.

The wind being north-northeast and east three days before the sun crosses the line, then southeast by way of east, then calm on the 23d, will bring enough and stormy winds from east and west all the winter.

East and West Wind.

Fixed East Wind.

If the wind becomes fixed in the east for the space of forty-eight hours, expect steady and continuous rain, with driving winds in the southwest during summer.

Gale.

A gale moderating at sunset will increase before midnight, but if it moderates after midnight, the weather will improve.

Fog and Mist.

Fog and mist raise higher seas than wind.

Heat.

If the wind be hushed with sudden heat, expect heavy rain.

Indiana Winds.

In Southern Indiana a southwest wind is said to bring rain in thirty-six hours.

Indian Proverbs Relating to Winds.

Wind from the north, cold and snow.

Wind from the western river of the northland, snow (northwest wind).

Wind from the world of waters, clouds (west wind).

Wind from the southern river of the world of waters, rain (southwest wind).

Wind from the land of the beautiful red, lovely odors and rain (south wind).

Wind from the wooded cañons, rain and moist clouds (southeast wind).

Wind from the land of day, it is the breath of health and brings the days of long life.

Winds from the lands of cold, the rain before which flees the harvest (northeast wind).

Winds from the lands of cold, the fruit of ice (northeast wind).

Wind from the right hand of the west is the breath of the god of sand clouds. (Zuñi Indians.)

Increasing Winds.

If the wind increases during a rain, fair weather may be expected soon.

Milk Cream.

Milk cream makes most freely with a north wind.

Northerly and Southerly Winds.

If the wind is from the northwest or southwest, the storm will be short; if from the northeast, it will be a hard one; if from the northwest, a cold one; and from the southwest a warm one. After it has been raining some time, a blue sky in the southeast indicates that there will be fair weather soon.

North Wind.

If there be within four, five, or six days two or three changes of wind from the north through without much rain and wind, and thence again through the west to the north with rain or wind, expect continued showery weather.

The north wind driveth away rain. (Proverbs, xxv, 23.)

Northeast Rain.

As a rule northeast rains indicate cold and damp soil, poor prospects for small seeds, melons, &c. (Apache Indians.)

North, East, South, and West Winds.

Northeast Wind.

If the wind changes to the northeast or north, expect cold weather.

If there be northeast or east winds in the spring, after a strong increase of heat, and small clouds appear in the different parts of the sky, or if the wind changes from east to south at the appearance of clouds preceded by heat, expect heavy rains.

Northwest and East Winds.

Northwest and Northeast Winds.

Northwest Winds.

Northwest wind brings only rain showers.

If there be a change of wind from the northwest or west to the southwest or south, or else from the northeast or east to the southeast or south, expect wet weather.

If the northwest or north winds blow with rain or snow during three or four days in the winter and then the wind passes to the south through the west, expect continued rain.

In summer if the wind changes to the northwest, expect cooler weather.

If a northwest wind shifts to northeast, remaining there two or three days without rain, and then shifts to the south, and then back to the northeast, with very little rain, fair weather may be expected during the following month. (Observer at Cape Mendocino.)

New Year’s Eve.

November-December.

As the wind is in the month of November, so will it be in the month of December.

No Wind.

Night Winds.

Pigs.

When pigs carry straws to their sty, a wind-storm may be expected.

Rising Wind.

Rain-Wind.

South Wind.

When ye see the south wind blow, ye say there will be heat; and it cometh to pass. (Saint Luke, xii, 55.)

Brisk winds from the south for several days in Texas are generally followed by a “norther.”

If there be dry weather with a light south wind for five or six days, it having previously blown strongly from the same direction, expect fine weather. (Texas.)

The southern wind doth blow a trumpet to his purpose, and by his hollow whistling in the leaves foretells a tempest and a blustering day. (Shakespeare.)

Southwest Wind.

In fall and winter if the wind holds a day or more in the southwest, a severe storm is coming; in summer, same of northeast wind.

Three southwesters, then one heavy rain.

The third day of southwest wind will be a gale, and wind will veer to northwest between 1 and 2 a. m. (in winter) with increasing force. (From fisherman on North Carolina coast.)

If the wind shifts around to the south and southwest, expect warm weather.

Southeast Wind.

If the wind blows from the southeast during September 20th and 21st, the weather from the middle of February to the middle of March will be warm.

Shifting During Drought.

In Texas and the southwest when the wind shifts during a drought, expect rain.

September Winds.

If the wind blows from the south on the 21st of September, it indicates a warm autumn.

Sun.

Storm.

When a heavy cloud comes up in the southwest and seems to settle back again, look out for a storm.

Wind-storms usually subside about sunset, but if they do not the storm will probably continue during the following day.

Always a calm before a storm.

Squalls.

Squalls making up on the flood-tide will culminate about high water; those making on ebb-tide will culminate about low-water. (South Atlantic coast.)

West Wind.