Predicting Weather in Colonial Times

Wind Vanes are also referred to as weather vanes. That is because, early Americans primarily used winds to forecast weather, particularly the changes in wind direction. If the wind followed the sun’s movements blowing from east to west the settlers predicted clearing skies. If, however winds were blowing west to east, storms and clouds were predicted.

Weathervanes were very important to farmers and others who depended on the weather for their livelihood. Weathervanes were very expensive items and were often only found atop government buildings. Weathervanes were decorated with symbols, such as animals and initials to indicate to whom they belonged.

Today we know that there are many other factors, besides wind, that contribute to the weather. But, we still use similar tools to look at wind speed and direction. Let’s check it out!