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A WEATHER FOLKLORE PHRASE INTERPRETED

METEOROLOGIST JEFF HABY

The phrase: "When the glass falls low, prepare for a blow; When it rises high, Let all your kites fly". The glass falling is in reference to a mercury and glass barometer. One of the first methods of predicting if storms were on the way was the use of pressure changes. Pressure falls indicate low pressure is developing and/or moving closer to the forecast area. Accompanied with low pressure are wind, clouds and storms. When pressures rise, it is an indication of clearing weather, and if temperature are mild or warm, a great day for outdoor activities. Letting the kites fly does not necessarily mean it will be windy. It means the weather is nice to go outside and do outdoor activity. The saying does NOT consider (1) temperature; arctic high pressure could be building in and producing pressure rises. This would not be a good day to fly a kite, (2) Not all pressure falls are indicative of stormy weather, (3) High pressure tends to bring in weaker wind which is not favorable for kite flying. Now, in the LLJ of a Mid-latitude cyclone, THAT is kite flyin' weather!