Weather lore holds good for May 2012

“In the middle of May comes the tail of winter”

This very traditional weather folk lore has been tested quite extensively, the ‘middle of May’ in this instance being taken as the 11-20th, the results being based on the number of cold days in the period.

The highest frequencies of cold days were on the 9th, 12th, 15th and 19th. There is no continuous cold spell, but individual days of low temperature give a success rate of 29%.

This year, we've had some chilly days and frosty nights of late, and our temperatures will be around or just below average over the weekend days so it looks like May 2012 may prove this weather lore.

Here's another...

“Storms from the east or south east between the 17th and 23rd of May indicate a wet summer”

This saying promises much, but cold reality is not overly conclusive.

When the weather lore was tested, there were however some interesting findings.

When a storm from the east or south east lasts for at least two days, this offers a success rate of around 39% for a wet summer.

When a storm from the east or south east lasts for a minimum of four days, the success rate is 37%.

Better keep an eye on the barometer.