Most people can sense a storm coming their way without ever tuning into the local weather station. The many clues that give away Nature's plans have inspired bits of lore throughout the ages -- and are still used today to define the meanings of atmospheric changes and how they affect us.
When a weather change is on the horizon, most folks have their own little ways of being able to tell what’s on the way by taking in the signals of nature. Often, these signs are interpreted on the subconscious level, while others are much less subtle, and people tune into those tidbits of information in order to prepare for whatever Mother Nature has planned for them. There is, after all, something to be said for the philosophy which dictates, "If you want to know the weather, just look out the window".
Moisture in the Air
Fog and Its Indicators
Typically speaking, there are two ways in which fog is formed. The more commonly known reason that these smoky blankets drape over our environment is that warm, moist air moves into the area over a cold surface. This type of fog is an indication of a looming rainstorm, and often occurs during winter months.
The fogs of summer, however, are formed a bit differently. When the dew point reaches 100%, fog rolls in, but indicates that clear weather is on the way. Strange as it may sound, this type of fog only develops on clear summer nights. If it were cloudy, the fog would be unable to form, since clouds hold the heat within the lower portion of the atmosphere – much in the same way that a blanket holds body heat and allows the skin to stay warm. Under these conditions, cold air has no way of entering, and fog is out of the question. One of the common old sayings – or pieces of lore – is:
"A summer fog for fair, a winter fog for rain; a fact most everywhere, in valley or on plain."