WEATHER SIGNS FOR THE HOLIDAYS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16938, 12 January 1923, Page 10

WEATHER SIGNS FOR THE HOLIDAYS.

The holiday season is now in full swing, and much anxious thought is being given to the portents of the sky. The increasing accuracy of the official weather prophecies is a legacy of th*» war. Tho development of a viatic 11 and the assistance that it is able to give in the collection of the necessary information upon which the forecasts are based are largely responsible. It is not always possible, however, to obtain the official forecast before planning the programme for the morrow, or even for the day itself. Bub the e are some indications which can be depended upon and will assist the holiday-maker in even the most remote spot fairly accurately to estimate the climatic conditions that arc likely for twenty-four hours ahead. Watch the skv afc sunset. If there arc pale tints, wind and rain may be counted upon to follow soon. There is a good deal of meteorological truth in the old poetical adage that — Red sky at night is the shepherd’s delight; Red sky in the morning, the shepherd’s warning. If the sun should sink to rest in a bed of brightly hued clouds, then a line? day on the morrow may be looked for. A grey sunrise, to those, who are up sufficiently early to observe, is another indication of a fine day. A coppery sky. either at night or in the morning, is not a happy sign. Such conditions usually lead to thun dev.storms, accompanied by heavy rain Another precursor of this type i f weather is great towering, lieapecl-up clouds, with a black and gloomy base Flying men will tell you that they tower high above other clouds, sometimes to the extent of two miles, ami are beautiful yet terrifying things to behold. If vo 11 are anxious to know wlmt sort of an afternoon may be expected. keep an eye on the clouds in tin 111 Should the clouds be of the. sma.l. woolly type, with flat bases, there wi*l ho tine weather. If they are cumulus clouds—-massive and conic al in shape- - appearing near and showing no signs of disappearing by noon, then showers are certain. Another certain sign of a. coming spell of fine weather is when clouds . which have overcast the sky clear away in the form of an arch. During the later summer months an early-morning mist- invariably means that a warm and rainless day will foiAbove all else, always scan the sky in the direction from which the wind is blowing, because that is where any changed conditions will come from.