Have you ever heard of the storm glass? If you haven’t let’s see what it is.
What Is A Storm Glass?
A storm glass is a liquid mixture of chemicals in a sealed glass that is used for weather forecasting. The liquid is a mixture of potassium nitrate, distilled water, ammonium chloride, ethanol and camphor, and its changes are supposed to predict the weather.
The mixture of the storm glass was developed by Admiral Robert FitzRoy during the 1800s. He used it on his voyage with Charles Darwin on HMS Beagle.
This storm glass has the shape of a water drop and it comes in 3 different sizes; small (6x12cm), medium 8x198cm), and large (9.5x20cm) (WxH).
How Does It Predict The Weather?
According to FitzRoy and his observations during his voyage we know that:
- If the liquid is clear, the weather will be clear and sunny.
- If the liquid is cloudy, it indicates that the weather will be cloudy too.
- If the liquid is cloudy with stars, thunderstorms should be expected.
- If the liquid has threads near the top, the weather will be windy.
- If the liquid has small dots, the weather will be humid or foggy.
- If during sunny winter days you see stars in the liquid, snow should be expected.
- If the liquid has large flakes and it’s winter, it indicates snow.
- If the liquid has large flakes and the weather is mild, the sky will be covered by clouds.
- If the liquid has crystals at the bottom, frost should be expected.
How Does It Work?
The method by which the storm glass works is not fully understood. The changes of the temperature and pressure makes the liquid change and grow crystals inside the glasses.
Does it actually predict the weather? Some people say that yes, it is a quite good weather predictor. Some others disagree though, and say that the prediction is no better than random.
It is recommended not put it next to the window, and to keep it away from direct sunlight. Also, you shouldn’t shake it.
I’ve had it on my desk for a couple of days, the first day it was sunny and there were barely any crystals inside the glass. All the rest of the days have been cloudy and a bit rainy, and my storm glass have been looking like the picture above.
Can’t tell if it actually predicts the weather, but what I can tell is that it’s beautiful and really cool to look at, especially when you see the changes.
