What will the weather be like? This question is on our minds almost every day - whether we're planning an excursion, a mountain hike or simply wondering whether we should pack an umbrella. Modern apps and weather reports are handy, but did you know that nature gives us a wealth of clues that we can use to predict the weather ourselves? In this detailed guide, we'll show you how to become a weather expert yourself.
Table of contents
Why should you be able to read weather signs?
Clouds - your key to weather forecasting
Understanding special weather conditions
Understanding the language of animals
Plants as weather prophets
Traditional farming rules - more than just folklore
Making sensible use of modern tools
Practical tips for outdoor activities
Conclusion: Become a weather expert
Why should you be able to read weather signs?
Especially in areas with special weather conditions - such as valleys, mountain regions or lakes - the general weather forecast is often not enough. It's worth its weight in gold if you can interpret the signs of nature yourself. The local weather can differ significantly from the large-scale forecast, and the ability to read weather signs can help you make better decisions. It's also great fun to discover the connections in nature!
Clouds - your key to the weather forecast
Clouds are like a weather newspaper in the sky, and if you know how to read them correctly, they can give you amazingly accurate forecasts.
High clouds (above 6000 meters)
In the high layers of air above 6000 meters you will find cirrus clouds, also known as feather clouds. These thin, fibrous formations resemble white feathers in the sky. If they become fewer during the course of the day, this indicates calm weather. If these clouds become denser, however, this could herald a warm front with rain.
The cirrocumulus clouds, often referred to as fleecy clouds, may look cute, but they can certainly herald a powerful thunderstorm. If, on the other hand, you spot cirrostratus clouds in the sky that look like transparent veils, you should be prepared for rain in the next 36 hours.
- Cirrus clouds (feather clouds): These thin, fibrous clouds resemble white feathers. If they diminish during the course of the day, this indicates calm weather. However, if they become denser, a warm front with rain could be on its way.
- Cirrocumulus (fleecy clouds): These small, lined-up clouds look cute, but can herald a powerful thunderstorm.
- Zirrostratus (veil clouds): Appear like transparent veils in the sky. If you see these, expect rain in about 36 hours.
Medium-high clouds (2000-6000 meters)
At medium altitudes between 2000 and 6000 meters, we encounter altocumulus clouds. These wavy, white-grey formations are usually a sign of stable weather. The situation is different with altostratus clouds: If they become so dense that they completely block out the sun, you should prepare for rain or snow.
- Altocumulus: These wavy, white-grey clouds are usually a sign of stable weather.
- Altostratus: If these clouds become so dense that they completely block the sun, be prepared for the coming rain or snow.
Low clouds (below 2000 meters)
Closer to the ground, below 2000 meters, we find different cloud forms with different meanings. Stratocumulus clouds appear in gray or white clods and are a good sign, especially in winter. A continuous gray layer of stratus clouds, on the other hand, usually heralds bad weather.
- Stratocumulus: These gray or white cumulus clouds are a good sign, especially in winter.
- Stratus: A continuous gray layer in the sky - unfortunately a clear sign of bad weather.
- Cumulus: The classic "fair weather clouds" - white and dome-shaped. When they dissipate in the evening, the weather usually remains fine. However, if they form again in the morning or evening, the weather could deteriorate.
- Cumulonimbus: The dreaded storm clouds that rise up like towers. You should seek shelter as soon as you see them!
Understanding special weather conditions
Thunderstorms in the mountains
Thunderstorms play a particularly important role in the mountains. There are two main types: Frontal thunderstorms and thermal thunderstorms.
Frontal thunderstorms
Frontal thunderstorms occur on cold fronts and appear like a dark roller in the sky. They move forward at a considerable speed of 30 to 80 kilometers per hour and often bring hail and a rapid drop in temperature. Although they can be very violent, they are easy to predict.
- Form on cold fronts
- Appear like a dark roller in the sky
- Move forward at 30-80 km/h
- Often bring hail and a rapid drop in temperature
- Are very violent, but easy to predict
Heat thunderstorms
Thermal thunderstorms, on the other hand, mainly occur in summer and develop from initially harmless cumulus clouds. They can occur earlier than expected and their direction of movement is more difficult to predict. Sometimes they remain in one place or even circle.
- Occur mainly in summer
- Develop from harmless cumulus clouds
- Can occur earlier than expected
- Are difficult to predict in their direction of movement
- Sometimes stay in one place or circle
The foehn - friend and foe
A special weather phenomenon is the foehn, which you can recognize by exceptionally clear visibility and strong, gusty winds. The lenticular clouds that form are also characteristic. The foehn can bring gusts of wind up to hurricane force.
You can recognize a foehn by:
- Exceptionally clear visibility
- Strong, gusty winds
- Characteristic lenticular clouds
- Possible squalls up to hurricane force
Understanding the language of animals
Nature has its own weather experts: the animal world has its own "weather sense" and often shows us very precisely what weather to expect. Here are the most important animal weather signs:
Insects:
When swarms of mosquitoes are particularly keen to bite, a thunderstorm is often on the horizon. If the midges dance at sunset, this indicates warm summer rain.
- Swarms of biting midges often herald thunderstorms
- Dancing midges at sunset indicate warm summer rain
Birds:
Birdlife also gives us important clues: When pigeons settle in rows on pipes or roofs, rain is often imminent. Low-flying swallows are also a classic sign of rain.
- Pigeons in rows on pipes or roofs? Rain is likely
- Low-flying swallows are a classic sign of rain
Mammals:
Mammals have a particularly keen sense of weather. When mountain sheep descend to lower altitudes, they sense the approaching rain. Our domestic cats are also amazingly good weather prophets - if they become restless and stay indoors, a thunderstorm or rainy weather is often on its way.
- Mountain sheep that descend to lower altitudes can sense approaching rain
- Restless cats that stay indoors often sense thunderstorms or rain ahead
Amphibians:
Even the proverbial "weather frog" has its uses: The grass frog actually stays in one place for a long time when the weather is fine, whereas it retreats to the pond when rain or a storm threatens.
- The proverbial "weather frog" (grass frog) stays in one place for a long time when the weather is fine
- Frogs retreat into the pond when rain or storms are imminent
Plants as weather prophets
The plant world reacts extremely sensitively to changes in the weather and gives us valuable clues about upcoming weather changes. The behavior of various flowers is particularly interesting: the silver thistle, for example, opens its flowers when the weather remains fine. If its flowers remain closed despite the sunshine, this is often a warning sign that rain is approaching. The intensity of plant scents can also give us important clues. If woodruff, birch and lime blossom have a particularly intense scent, this indicates warm, moist air. A stronger plant scent often heralds rain.
Blossoms:
- Open silver thistle blossoms promise sunshine
- Closed flowers despite the sun warn of rain
Scents:
- Woodruff, birch and lime blossom smell more intense in warm, humid air
- Increased plant scent often heralds rain
Traditional farming rules - more than just folklore
Well-known old country proverbs about the weather:
- "Dusk and dawn are a good weather companion"
- "Frequent heavy dew keeps the sky blue"
- "The fog, when it rises, brings rain, but clear weather when it falls"
Many old country proverbs that have been passed down through the generations have a scientific basis. The well-known saying "sunset and dawn are good weather companions" is based on verifiable atmospheric processes. The observation "Frequent heavy dew keeps the sky blue" is also justified: Dew forms particularly well on clear nights, which are often accompanied by areas of high pressure and therefore stable weather. The rule on fog behavior is particularly interesting: Rising fog actually often brings rain, while falling fog usually indicates an improvement in the weather.
Making sensible use of modern aids
In our modern age, we should combine traditional weather observation with the possibilities of technology. Weather apps offer a valuable overview of the large-scale weather situation and can serve as a basis for our own observations. A barometer is a particularly useful tool here: rising air pressure generally promises better weather, while falling air pressure often heralds a deterioration. Online weather radar systems are particularly helpful when tracking thunderstorms and can be a useful addition to your own observations.
- Weather apps: provide a good overview of the general weather situation
- Barometer: Rising air pressure promises better weather
- Online weather radar: Particularly helpful for tracking thunderstorms
Practical tips for outdoor activities
If you are planning outdoor activities, thorough weather preparation is particularly important. Start by comparing several weather reports and observing weather developments days in advance. Always plan alternative routes in case the weather puts a spanner in the works of your original plans. During your tour, it is important to keep a regular eye on the sky and pay attention to the weather signs in your surroundings. The sooner you react to changes in the weather, the safer you will be on the road.
Before the tour:
- Check several weather reports
- Observe weather developments days in advance
- Plan alternative routes
During the tour:
- Keep an eye on the sky
- Pay attention to weather signs in the area
- React early to changes in the weather
Conclusion: Become a weather expert
The art of weather forecasting develops from the interplay of various factors. It requires attentive observation of nature, a basic understanding of meteorological relationships and the skillful use of modern tools. With increasing experience, you will become better and better at piecing together the various weather signs to form an overall picture. It is important to understand that no single sign is absolutely reliable on its own. Only the combination of different signs provides a meaningful overall picture of the expected weather development.
The more you study the weather signs, the better you will become at predicting the weather. The following applies: No single sign is one hundred percent reliable, but the combination of different indications often provides an astonishingly accurate picture.
Safety note: When making important decisions, especially in the mountains or during outdoor activities, you should always pay attention to the official weather reports and warnings despite all the natural signs. Your safety comes first!
Curious about what else nature can tell you? Browse through our other articles and discover how you can be safer on the move with natural signs!
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