Weather Whys; Animal Instinct

This is weather-wise. For years, farmers and other weather-wise individuals have predicted the weather without the aid of modern meteorology. A certain pattern of clouds in the sky warns them of an approaching storm that may be three days away. Perhaps an old knee injury begins to ache or their rheumatism acts up. But some weather watchers maintain animals are the best forecasters of all. They say Rover and Fluffy just go crazy before a storm arrives. And weather-law handed down through the ages would seem to support that claim. Much of it concerns the behavior of animals during the approach of inclement weather. For instance, birds are said to stop singing and seek shelter, cows huddle together, frogs croak, and small wild animals seek higher ground. The theory is that animals have what we call instinct. Without it, they wouldn't survive very long. In news of a possible threat reaches them through any of their senses, they instinctively take action to protect themselves.

For example, a field mouse could be endangered by a sudden heavy rainfall which might flood his underground home. So until the perceived threat passes, he might head for the hills. But how do the animals know? Some say that since animals are generally much smaller than humans, they feel changes in humidity and air pressure more acutely and are made uncomfortable by those changes. Then they either vocalize their discomfort like the croaking frog or take protective action like the mouse. Maybe someday we'll know for sure. But in the meantime, humans watch and listen. Maybe Rover and Fluffy can teach them a thing or two. Weather-wise is a production of the Center for Analysis and Prediction of Storms at the University of Oklahoma established in 1989 by the National Science Foundation for Research on Local and Regional Prediction of Storms. Our writer is Christine Harbour at our producer is Steve Patrick. For Weather-wise, I'm Drew Barlow.