Coast to Country

Long before weather apps and TV forecasts, people looked to the world around them for clues about what kind of weather was on the way. Animals, plants, and even the moon have a way of sending signals if you know how to spot them. These old-fashioned “signs” are fun for kids to observe and make a perfect classroom activity!

Here are some favorite bits of weather wisdom:

🌿 Texas Sage – “Sage Advice” for Rain

The barometer bush, also called Texas sage, often blooms right before a storm. The plant reacts to humidity and changes in the air pressure. If you see its purple flowers pop out all at once, rain is usually close behind.

🍂 Persimmon Seeds – Winter’s Silverware

In fall, you can split open a persimmon seed to see a little white kernel shaped like a spoon, fork, or knife.

Spoon = heavy snow (you’ll need a shovel). Knife = sharp, icy winds. Fork = a mild, easier winter. It’s like nature’s hidden code for the season ahead.

🐜 Ant Mounds

If ants are piling up tall, sturdy mounds, it’s a good sign rain may be coming. They build higher homes to keep water out before a storm.

🐦 Birds Flying Low

When the air feels heavy, bugs fly close to the ground. Birds swoop low to catch them—so if you see lots of swooping birds, it usually means rain isn’t far away.

🐄 Animals Know Best

Cows lying down in the pasture, horses pawing the ground, or dogs acting extra restless can all mean a storm is brewing.

🌕 A Ring Around the Moon

A hazy halo circling the moon often means moisture is in the air and rain will arrive soon. The old rhyme says: “Ring around the moon, rain by noon.”

🐀 The Groundhog and His Shadow

Every February, tradition says a groundhog (which looks a lot like a big rat!) comes out of his burrow. If he sees his shadow and runs back inside, winter will stick around longer. If he doesn’t, spring is on its way.

🐛 Woolly Bear Caterpillars

Some say the fuzzy woolly bear caterpillar can forecast winter. A wide orange band means a gentler season, while a narrow stripe points to a harsher one.

🌦 Coast to Country Classroom Activity: My Weather Tracker

Kids love to become little weather forecasters.

Create a simple daily weather tracker sheet with spaces for:

✅ Today’s Weather (sunny, cloudy, rainy, snowy, windy)

✅ Temperature (record it from a thermometer or weather app)

✅ Weather Observation (Did you see birds flying low? Was the moon hazy last night? Any animal behavior?)

✅ What Should I Wear? (jacket, boots, shorts, hat)

✅ Tomorrow’s Forecast (write what the weather report says or make your own prediction!)

By tracking the weather each day, kids learn patterns, compare old sayings to real forecasts, and start noticing the natural signs around them.

✨ And who knows? They may just become the best little forecasters in town.