Seems that every time I enter a fishing tournament, the clouds open up and I get drenched soon after the starting gun sounds. If I leave home for a distant fishin' hole, a fog rolls in, meaning that I can count on a slow, treacherous drive. With me, at least, it never seems to fail.
Things probably would go better if, on occasion, I'd use some common sense because Mother Nature provides us with a weather report if we'd just pay attention . . . and know what to look for. Even without advanced knowledge of potential weather shifts via newspaper, radio or television, we can usually predict upcoming changes by the signs She provides.
Dew on the grass before you leave home in the wee hours can indicate good weather because dew only forms when the atmosphere is clear and the air dry.
Rising smoke indicates high pressure and fair weather. Smoke streaming off flatly or downward indicates a lowering of air pressure that precedes a storm.
A sudden absence of birds also gauges a possible storm approach because low pressure-- which comes ahead of bad weather--makes flying difficult for our feathered friends.
White, fluffy clouds mean continued fair weather. But, when they build vertically (cumulus), they may form massive cumulo-nimbus clouds that hold rain and wind.
A falling barometer will indicate an approaching storm.
If bad weather is coming, ants retreat to their hills and spiders abandon their webs. Mud turtles crawl back into their ponds, squirrels race through the trees and deer often head for open fields. Other storm warnings are indicated when birds preen their feathers and crows assemble in noisy protest meetings. Birds perch more before a storm. Ducks fly higher in good weather, which accounts for the best waterfowl hunting taking place on the most nasty, miserable days.
Lightning in the west or northwest usually indicates a storm that will reach you. If the lightning is to the south or east, the storm will probably pass you by. Smells are stronger before a rain. Odors held captive by high air pressure escape as the barometer drops. By facing the wind, you can figure the storm will be on your right. When the air is humid, you can assume that rain is a possibility.
Leaves show backs before rain because they grow according to prevailing winds and a change of wind turns them over. Look for rain when distant sounds are loud and hollow because a lowering cloud ceiling acts as a sounding board. High clouds usually won't rain on you, no matter how threatening they look. It's those low suckers that bear watching when out on the water.
There are even some folks who can feel an approaching storm through aches and pains in their bones or joints.
All of the mentioned signs are indicators of good or bad weather in the offing.
If possible, it's best to check out a weather report before leaving the ramp. Today's weatherperson, with his or her knowledge, precision instruments and satellites, is usually correct in predictions.
About the only time they're wrong is when I go fishing.
Many rely on the old salt's theorem, to wit: "Red sky at night, sailor's delight; red sky in the morning, sailor take warning."
Me? I have a personal forecasting system that goes: "Red sky in the morning, sailor take warning; red sky at night, sailor take warning."
Copyright (c) 1996 Herb Allen. All rights reserved.
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