Before the invention of weather forecasting, how did ancient people predict storms?

Ancient people did not have the aid of modern devices such as radar or satellites, but through deep interaction with their surroundings, they developed amazing ways of predicting the weather, especially dangerous weather phenomena such as storms.

For thousands of years before the advent of modern meteorology, weather prediction was an integral part of the lives and cultures of ancient civilizations. Despite lacking the scientific tools of today, ancient people had unique methods based on natural observation and religious beliefs to predict storms, rain, and other weather phenomena. Each civilization developed its own system, from observing nature to interacting with the gods.

Ancient China: Prediction through Nature and Proverbs

The Chinese use many ancient proverbs to explain natural phenomena. (Illustration photo).

In ancient China, weather forecasting was not only a part of daily life but also an important factor in agricultural production. The Chinese developed forecasting techniques based on natural observations, especially of phenomena such as animals and weather.

A notable example is their reliance on the behavior of animals and insects to predict changes in the weather. For example, if dragonflies flew low to the ground and moved erratically, this signaled an impending storm. In addition, if the base of house pillars suddenly became wet, they knew that rain was coming. This shows that they carefully observed small changes in the environment and nature around them to make predictions about the weather.

The Chinese also used many ancient proverbs to interpret natural phenomena and turned them into weather prediction tools. These proverbs not only helped predict the weather on a daily basis, but also made long-term predictions such as about crops, monsoons, and even astronomical phenomena such as eclipses. This shows that the combination of culture and weather forecasting has been developed by the ancient Chinese people over thousands of years.

Ancient Northern Europe: Weather and Religious Beliefs

For the Norse, extreme weather phenomena were often interpreted as the wrath of the gods. (Illustration photo).

In the Nordic region, weather and religious beliefs were closely linked. The Vikings and other peoples of the region believed that weather phenomena such as storms, lightning, and rain were controlled by the gods. Severe weather events were often interpreted as the wrath of the gods, and to avoid dangerous storms, they had to appease the gods through rituals and sacrifices.

Among the Norse gods, Freyr, the goddess of weather and agriculture, was believed to have the power to control the weather. People believed that if they pleased Freyr, they would have good weather for planting and harvesting. Conversely, if Thor, the god of thunder and storms, felt offended, he could cause violent storms that would destroy crops. Thus, religious rituals were not only a form of worship but also a way for people to control the weather through communication with the gods.

Weather forecasting in ancient Northern Europe was not scientific but based more on faith and belief in the power of the gods. However, this also reflected the deep interaction between humans and nature, and how they coped with the harsh weather and living environment in the cold Northern Europe.

Ancient Greece: The Beginnings of Meteorological Science

Around 300 BC, Aristotle changed his approach to weather. (Illustration).

The ancient Greeks also initially relied on mythology and religion to predict the weather. They believed that Zeus, the supreme god of Mount Olympus, controlled thunder and other weather phenomena. Weather, therefore, was not only a natural phenomenon but also a manifestation of the power of the gods.

However, around 300 BC, Aristotle changed this approach and made weather forecasting a part of science. In his book "Meteorologica" , he tried to explain weather phenomena through observation and mathematics. This is considered one of the earliest works on meteorological science, laying the foundation for understanding phenomena such as rain, wind and lightning in a scientific way.

Aristotle did more than explain the weather. He created a system for classifying natural phenomena and analyzing them from a scientific perspective. His theories about the movement of air, clouds, and the formation of storms helped the ancient Greeks not only predict daily weather events but also laid the foundation for the development of modern meteorological theories.

Ancient Egypt: Pharaohs and the Power of Prediction

The Egyptians believed that the pharaoh had a direct connection with the gods - who controlled the weather. (Illustration photo).

In ancient Egyptian civilization, weather forecasting was not the responsibility of ordinary people but part of the power of the pharaohs. The Egyptians believed that the pharaoh had a direct connection with the gods, especially Ra, the sun god, who controlled the weather and the seasons.

The Egyptians relied not only on the gods but also on natural observations of the Nile's flow to predict weather and floods. Water from the Nile was vital to Egypt's agriculture, and predicting when the Nile would overflow was crucial. They observed water levels and other natural signs to predict when heavy rains and floods would come, allowing people to prepare for the harvest.

In Egypt, weather forecasting was not only based on natural knowledge but also an important part of the pharaohs' religious and political power. This shows the close connection between power, religion and the ability to control nature in ancient Egyptian society.

Ancient Arabs: Wind and Climate

The Arabs realized that different wind directions brought different weather patterns. (Illustration).

The ancient Arabs developed a weather forecasting system based on observations of wind and climate. They realized that different wind directions brought different weather patterns, and from there they developed a classification system based on four main winds.

This system not only helped them predict the weather in the short term, but also made long-term predictions about crops and climate. The Arabs also paid great attention to astronomy, and they used observations of the stars and celestial bodies to predict the weather, especially astronomical phenomena related to the seasons.

Ancient Aztecs: Communicating with the Gods

The ancient Aztecs trusted prophets to make predictions about natural phenomena. (Illustration photo).

The ancient Aztecs believed that their prophets had the ability to communicate directly with the gods to predict the weather. Prophets were people who were believed to have supernatural powers to connect with the spirit world and make predictions about natural phenomena.

Belief in the powers of prophets played a large role in Aztec religious and political life. Festivals and sacrificial rituals were held to please the gods, in the hope that they would bring good weather for crops and protect the community from natural disasters such as storms and droughts.

Ancient Mesopotamia: Astronomy and Forecasting

Ancient Mesopotamians used astronomy to predict the weather. (Illustration).

The ancient Mesopotamians were one of the first civilizations to use astronomy to predict the weather. They observed cloud patterns and celestial phenomena to make predictions. They also used mathematics to calculate and analyze these observations, as did the Greeks later.

They built Ziggurat temples where astrologers and priests could observe the sky to predict the weather. Although this method did not reach the accuracy of modern weather forecasting, it helped people to be better prepared for climatic events.

Despite lacking modern technology like radar or satellites, ancient civilizations developed unique methods of weather forecasting, especially for phenomena like hurricanes. By observing nature, communicating with the gods, and developing belief systems, they were able to understand and prepare for climate changes. These efforts not only ensured their survival, but also paved the way for the development of modern meteorological science.