Dear Tom,
My mother has always told me that when the leaves on the trees flip upside down, it’s going to rain. Any truth to this?
Donaly Lay, St. Joseph, Mich.
Dear Donaly,
Weather folklore tales usually have a basis in scientific fact, and in the case that you have asked about the explanation makes meteorological and botanical sense–but it’s a stretch.
First off, it is important to understand that tree leaves are reacting to the weather right now and not a day or two ahead.
Winds at the onset of summer thunderstorms are often gusty and shifting, the kinds of wind that will readily flip over tree leaves.
Humidity, too, is usually high when thunderstorms are around. Moist air softens leaf stems, allowing the storm’s gusty winds to lift and turn the leaves more easily.
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Tom Skilling is chief meteorologist at WGN-TV. His forecasts can be seen Monday through Friday on WGN-TV News at noon and 9 p.m.
Write to: ASK TOM WHY, 2501 Bradley Pl., Chicago, IL 60618 or asktomwhy@wgntv.com (Mail volume precludes personal response.)
WGN-TV meteorologists Steve Kahn, Richard Koeneman and Paul Dailey plus weather producer Bill Snyder contribute to this page.
