Traditional weather forecasting methods in Ilocos Norte [Philippines]
2002
Galacgac, E.S. | Balisacan, C.M. (Mariano Marcos State Univ., Batac 2906, Ilocos Norte (Philippines))
The traditional weather forecasting methods (weather lore) used by the weatherwise folks (farmers, fishermen and housewives) as guide in their farming and fishing activities and for self-help disaster preparedness were documented. Weatherwise folks from the remote barangays [villages] of seventeen municipalities of Ilocos Norte had almost similar indicators for the onset of rainy season or occurrence of adverse weather condition. Among the documented weather lore, respondents claim that the unusual behavior of ants, earthworms, dragonflies, dogs, frogs and birds like Himalayan swiftlet, lesser caucal, plaintive cuckoo, heron or honeybees usually predict an upcoming rain, typhoon or bad weather. The ripening and shedding of fruits of plants such as physic nut, bangkal and siniguelas were also considered by farmers as reliable indicators of the onset of rainy season. A long parallel band of feathery clouds, and moon with rings were also important clues to predict weather. For fisher folks, the visible seawater evaporation and high sea waves were the most preferred indicators. These traditional weather forecasting had been used by the respondents for many years as handed down to most of them by their forefathers. These weather lore were more preferred than the information provided by PAGASA [Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration] which to them, PAGASA's information is oftentimes very general.
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