It's well known that animals have a sixth sense that allows them to perceive things that we don't, but can they predict the weather? According to an old book, cats can…
The American newspaper NPR has discovered a peculiar book written in 1884 by HHC Dunwoody, a lieutenant in the Signal Service of the United States Army.
Feline meteorologists
This institution was once the forerunner of what is today the National Meteorological Service and its lieutenant had some very original ideas regarding weather forecasting. According to Dunwoody, the technology for weather predictions (at least that of his time) was overrated and inaccurate, so it was better to look for other alternatives.
The solution is to pay more attention to nature, specifically, animal behaviour.
Dunwoody proposed that observing the activities of some animals, such as bats, dogs, mice, rabbits, and even pigs, could give us an indication of the weather for the next few days.
However, it seems that the most useful and accurate animals to have an accurate forecast of the climate were our felines.
"Cats have a reputation for being climate-wise," says the lieutenant in his book.
What are the signs to look out for in a cat who could predict the rain
According to various sources, by observing our feline friends, we can get an idea of the weather ahead. Here are some signs to watch for:
- If the cat sneezes, it’s a sign rain is on the way
- If the cat scratches at a tree or a trunk, it suggests rain is coming
- The direction the cat faces when it wipes its face after it rains indicates which way the wind will blow
- When cats lie on their backs with their mouth facing up, a storm is likely
- If a cat is snoring, bad weather is probably approaching
Keep in mind that this information comes from a book over a century old. But, who knows, perhaps cat owners really do hold the key to predicting the weather. What do you think?
