However much we value the weather forecasts that we get from the expert meteorologists, they can hardly be expected to give forecasts for every hill and glen, many of which create their own microclimates. The professional weather forecasters in some respects may be compared with newspaper astrologers who have to deal in generalities to please some of the people some of the time. Forecasts, however, can be enhanced by observation of local signs and by paying attention to elderly gentlemen who hold up licked thumbs and make pronouncements about rain.
- Banff baillies
- Blue bore
- Broch
- Chap at the bar
- Eame
- Gaw
- Hen scarts
- Salmon
- Mist
- Moon
- Smoke
- Staff
- Wind
Birds animals and plants often anticipate changes in the weather. Bird signs of bad weather include seagulls on land, owls hunting by day and swallows flying low.
Superstitions regarding weather also attach to certain dates and saints’ days or holidays.
If Candlemas day be clear and fair,
The half o’ winter’s tae gang and mair;
If Candlemas day be dark and foul,
The half o’ the winter is duin at Yule.
If Candlemas day is bright and clear,
There’ll be twa winters in the year.
Local Signs
In a country of mountains, lochs and rivers, with the Gulf stream to the west and Siberia to the North-East, many areas have their own microclimate and the appearance of mist on the nearest hill may be much more reliable than the national weather forecast.
However good we get at predicting the weather, it can still sometimes take us by surprise and extremes of weather can catch us unawares.