Can Animals Really Predict The Weather In Oklahoma

Animals are known to sense things better than people, like character, danger and in some cases, when bad weather is on the way. Many folks in Oklahoma believe there are different signs that animals show us different weather patterns are on the way. Whether or not science can back up these theories is an entirely different story.

How animals really predict some parts of the weather in Oklahoma.

There is science to prove that animals can feel changes in the weather; whether or not they do the things we claim they do as a sign about the changes is still a mystery in some cases.

According to Justin Rhinehart, Beef Cattle Specialist University of Tennessee, "there may be some truth to it," he said.

"I don’t think we understand it enough to base a lot of planning around it," Rhinehart said. "If we see cows laying down, it may indicate that storms are coming through. We would likely know that prior to the cows laying down, with the technology we have for weather prediction now. But, it may be something like, if you see all of your cows laying down in a field you might not want to mow hay and risk getting rained on."

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While it's difficult to say animals can predict the weather for certain, there are ways they've been able to detect changed in the atmosphere.

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For instance, dogs can sense drops in barometric pressure, which is a common precursor to storms according to Weather.com.

This is usually why when dog owners notice their pup is pacing, panting, trembling, hiding, or wanting close contact with their owners, it is usually a sign that severe weather is approaching.

But for studies including large animals or livestock, it's difficult to correlate some of their behaviors to storms. There are other factors that may be playing a part in their reactions. But, more often than not, some of the most popular beliefs have given farmers and outdoorsman plenty of heads-up in the past.

Popular sayings & beliefs about animals predicting rain & severe weather.

If you live in cattle country, or in the country at all, you've probably heard at least one of these sayings from before. Some are incredibly similar, but others are unique ideas that certain animals doing certain things indicates things about storm season. Some of the most popular beliefs are:

• Cattle standing in the corner of the pasture means rain is on the way.
• If cattle are laying down, then severe weather is coming.
• When sheep turn into the wind, expect rain.
• When cat's sneeze, rain is coming to you.
• Birds flying low means a storm is brewing; birds flying high means a clear sky.

Have you heard another popular saying not on the list? Share with us through the app!

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