Home / Editor's Pick /

Can cows actually predict rain?

10:00 AM
March 6, 2022

Weather myths
Can cows actually predict rain?

Lying cow

It’s a comment made on many a road trip throughout the year. The cows in the nearby field are lying down, there must be a storm on the way. Where did this idea come from? And is it accurate?

As it happens research from the universities of Arizona and Northern Missouri discovered cows tend to lie when temperatures drop and stand when it is hot. This lends some credibility to the weather folklore surrounding their meteorological abilities.

Storms are generally preceded by areas of low pressure which brings more moisture to the air and a cooling in temperature. It is possible that herds can sense this shift and choose to make their bed in the nearest available patch of land to prepare.

The truth however is that cows lie down all the time, whatever the weather. There may be some tenuous link with incoming storms but they are coincidental at best.

So while it turns out there is some aspect of truth behind this claim, you won’t be able to rely on your local farmer for weather forecasts any time soon.

Weather & Radar USA editorial team
More on the topic
Saturday, April 19, 2025

Your weather - Your shots

Sunrise views and misty mornings
Sleeping cat
Sunday, April 20, 2025

Seasonal tiredness

What causes spring fatigue?
Saturday, May 3, 2025

May astronomy outlook

Meteor shower and the Flower Moon
All weather news
This might also interest you
Monday, May 19, 2025

You can be ready

When severe storms strike...
Thursday, May 22, 2025

2025 hurricane prediction

Above-average expected
Live storm chase in the Deep South - May 2025.
Tuesday, May 20, 2025

Tornado watch active

LIVE: Deep South storm chase
All articles
Weather & Radar

www.weatherandradar.com

instagramfacebookthreadsContact uslinkList
Privacy policy | Legal info