Long before the popular TV source RTÉ—and even further back, before the 17th century—people relied on keen observation to predict the weather. Changes in cloud formations or wind direction were often key natural indicators of what was to come. We will cover the following:
- What is a storm glass?
- What is is made of?
- Who invented the storm glass?
- What does it predict?
- What causes the crystals to change?
- Can you depend on it to predit the weather?
What is a storm glass?
A storm glass is a glass container that is sealed and filled with water and chemicals, and demonstrates a chemical process of crystallisation. The storm glass was used to predict weather changes based on the appearance of the crystals inside the container.
What is it made of?
The liquid in a storm glass is a mixture of various ingredients, often containing distilled water, ethanol, camphor, ammonium chloride, and potassium nitrate.
Who Invented the Storm Glass?
The credit goes to Robert FitzRoy, an English Meteorologist and Officer of the Royal Navy. Although a device similar to this was already developed 2 decades before, and the inventor is unknown. Robert Fitzroy was an English officer of the Royal Navy, who promoted and used the storm glass, although it is believed similar containers existed even 2 decades earlier around France, Germany and Italy.
What Does the Storm Glass Predict?
Weather Interpretation: different crystal patterns were historically associated with different weather conditions:
- Threads: Wind.
- Clear liquid: Clear skies.
- Cloudy liquid: Cloudy skies and rain.
- Small dots: Fog or high humidity.
- Crystals at the bottom: Frost.
- Stars: Thunderstorms.
- Snowflakes: Snow.
What causes the crystal growth in storm glasses?
In 1863, Charles Tomlinson published an analysis that concludes that the temperature change is the sole cause of crystal growth in storm glasses.
Can you depend on it to predict the weather?
No, storm glasses are not considered a reliable or accurate method for predicting the weather by modern standards. They are beautiful in design, though. And a nice gift for someone, too. I found mine in TKMAXX in Galway.
Thank you, I hope you enoyed the article. Please note, I carefully research the topic before publishing, however some facts could have changed since publishing this article, so I appreciate your understanding. All articles published are thoroughly researched and inspired by published books. The list of resources are published in every article. Please be kind, and have a nice day.
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