Cloud Forecasting Rules
Ancient sailors, farmers, and shepherds predicted weather by watching clouds long before weather apps existed. Here are time-tested rules you can use!
Red sky at night, sailor's delight. Red sky in morning, sailor's warning. A red sunset means dry, dusty air is coming from the west (where weather usually comes from), bringing fair weather. A red sunrise means the fair weather has already passed and moisture is approaching.
Mackerel sky (small, rippled altocumulus clouds) means rain within 24 hours. The pattern looks like fish scales.
Cirrus clouds thickening into cirrostratus = rain in 12-24 hours. The warm front is approaching.
Cumulus clouds growing rapidly taller on a summer afternoon = thunderstorm likely within 2-3 hours.
Clear, starry night with no clouds = cold temperatures. Clouds act like a blanket, trapping warmth. Without them, heat escapes into space.
A ring (halo) around the moon = rain or snow coming. The halo is caused by cirrostratus ice clouds, which often precede storms.
**Try It:** Tonight or tomorrow morning, look at the sky. Can you predict the weather for the rest of the day based on what clouds you see?