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Hi Chris & All, June 6, 2008
This is one of those cases where it helps to have been there.
Prior to the 1950's and perhaps even later public weather forecasts
were crude to absent. A lot hinged on being able to read weather signs
not only for frost but incoming storms, colder weather, rain etc. so
country people were constantly aware of subtle indicators. There were no
doubt many sayings that were pure superstition but some seemed to hold
true and the full moon effect, in the Cambridge area, did seem to be one
of these.
All farmers then would have been fully aware that clear skies and
calm air were preconditions of frost. You don't stay up all night to
light smudge fires at the critical time, and then work the next day,
just for the fun of it. And people would have understood this cloud
effect from way back because the rate of skin cooling after sunset is,
other things being equal, noticably less when clouds move in.
It would be interesting however to see some actual tabulations of
frost/moon interactions in apt locations. I don't think there would be
an effect far from the Minas Basin/ Bay of Fundy or similar esturary.
My nephews do a lot of irrigation for frost and may have some good
records so I will ask about this.
Yt, Dave Webster, Kentville
Christopher Majka wrote:
> Hi Jane,
>
> On 6-Jun-08, at 11:23 AM, David&Jane Schlosberg wrote:
>
>
>> Any of you more scientific folks care to comment on the old "wisdom"
>> about the moon phases and planting?
>>
>>
>
> I think this is just folklore. The correlation seems to have arisen
> because spring and autumn frosts tend to form only on clear nights.
> When the sky is overcast there is moisture in the air/clouds, and/or
> actual precipitation, hence the temperature is above freezing. When
> the sky is clear, people tend to notice the moon (whatever the phase).
> Ergo, the phases of the moon get connected with frosts whereas the
> correlation is really with the clear sky. The tidal cycle is related
> to the phases of the moon but I'm not aware of any relationship to any
> weather patterns.
>
>
> Cheers,
>
>
> Chris
>
>
> Christopher Majka
>
> Nova Scotia Museum, 1747 Summer St., Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada B3H 3A6
>
> c.majka@ns.sympatico.ca <mailto:c.majka@ns.sympatico.ca>
>
>
>
>
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