While the Bureau Of Meteorology have technology on their side when predicting impending storms, there are some other interesting techniques which some people swear by.

Here are just some of the ones we've come across which may hold you in good stead this cyclone season (but probably not):

• Ants become increasing active prior to rain;
• Huntsmen spiders head indoors to escape inclement weather;
• When the wind blows the tree leaves such that they turn over, there is a storm approaching;
• When the cows are laying down in the paddock rain is likely;
• "Red sky in the morning, sailors take warning, red sky at night, sailors delight" (Shepherds also like this one);
• "Long foretold long to last, short notice soon to pass" - Apparently a farmer's interpretation;
• "Mackerel scales, lower the sails" - According to fishermen mackerel scales is referring to the look of the clouds;
• To determine the temperature in Fahrenheit, count the number of noises a cricket makes in one minute;
• If swallows are flying low at dusk it's a sign of bad weather to come;
• Frogs become noisier just prior to rain.

If you've got, or have heard of, a sure-fire way of foreseeing the gathering storm we'd love to hear it.

Home page image by Daphne Sharpe.

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