Springtime weather signs
Ash to the left, in the foreground, yet to leaf and with last years dead keys still hanging, Oak with green leaves in the background
Beth Collier explores traditional lore about springtime natural indicators of coming weather
Our ancestor’s used observation of natural phenomena to forecast weather trends. An old British country lore relating to rain included the adage;
Oak before Ash, there’s going to be a splash
Ash before Oak, there’s going to be a soak
Meaning that if the Oak tree leafs before the Ash tree then dry weather is predicted in the months to come. If the Ash tree leafs before the Oak then wet weather is predicted. This year the Oak has emerged first, several weeks ahead of the Ash, indicating a dry period to come – let’s keep watch and see.
Petal sensors
Another weather indicator to look out for at this time of year are Lesser Celandines, catch them now – in their last throes.
You’ll find them in woodland or along hedgerows with bright, glossy star shaped flowers and around 8 – 12 narrow petals and heart shaped dark green leaves.
The plant’s Celtic name Grian means ‘sun’ and this speaks to it’s character as a weather sensitive plant, they are very responsive to light and moisture levels. They close their petals when there is a lot of moisture in the air – indicating that wet weather is on it’s way, and do not open their petals in low light levels, tradition says not before 9am or after 5pm.
The Lesser Celandine’s weather tendancies inspired William Wordsworth to write a poem in the plant’s honour,
There is a Flower, the Lesser Celandine,
William Wordsworth, The Lesser Celandine
That shrinks, like many more, from cold and rain;
And, the first moment that the sun may shine,
Bright as the sun himself, ’tis out again!
When hailstones have been falling, swarm on swarm,
Or blasts the green field and the trees distressed,
Oft have I seen it muffled up from harm,
In close self-shelter, like a Thing at rest.