3 weather superstitions that are backed by science 

There are strange superstitions all over the world and some of them revolve around weather predictions too. Can you think of some examples? Let’s help you. You may have heard of cats scratching their ears, which is believed to signal rain. Some also say that birds flying closer to the ground warn of an impending storm.  

Scientists have worked hard to dispel such myths about weather forecasts. Though we often dismiss them as mere superstitions, not all of them are baseless. In fact, some of these so-called superstitions are backed by science. However, it is not safe to rely on them entirely to predict the weather. If you want to know which popular superstitions may be true, read on.  

Pine cones can predict the weather 
There is a popular superstition that the shape of a pine cone can predict weather. If the pine cone is open, the weather will be good. If the weather is about to turn sour, it will close. Well, it’s not a myth. Pine cones become more flexible and form a closed shape when exposed to damp conditions. This structure allows the scales to absorb water and protect the seeds until sunny days arrive. Then, when good weather comes knocking at their door, the pine cone’s scales dry out, and it opens up. 

There is also another belief about pine cones that doesn’t hold true. What is it? An abundance of pine cones in autumn indicates a cold winter ahead. Well, pine trees can take up to 3 years to fully produce cones, and their yield varies yearly.  

Bone pain can foretell bad weather 
There is a common perception that pain in your bones predicts bad weather. You might have heard your grandparents say, “I’m feeling bad weather in my bones.” Some people say they can predict the weather when their knee starts hurting. Sounds weird, right? How can a joint pain forecast lousy weather? But it may be correct. 

There is no conclusive correlation between pain and weather. But scientific evidence suggests that there may be one. A 2007 study published in the American Journal of Medicine analysed 200 people with knee osteoarthritis (bone disorder). They discovered a link between pain and surrounding air pressure! Changing air pressure, which is generally triggered by weather change, impacts certain body functions leading to pain. So, if you see your grandmom experiencing joint pain, keep an eye on the weather. 

A halo ring around the moon or sun foresees rain 
A halo ring around the moon or sun means it is about to rain. This is for a fact. Ice crystals make up the wavy clouds surrounding the moon or sun. These ice crystals refract light from the moon or sun, creating a radiant halo. But how does a halo cause rain to fall? Ice crystals are known to condense moisture. This leads to cloud formation and precipitation (rainfall). In the summer, the halo can indicate an impending storm too!