Wet and rainy summer 'on the way' after sign we've all seen in nature

As summer approaches, people across Britain can only hope for sunshine and pleasant temperatures, but given the unpredictable nature of the UK's climate, it might be worth turning to nature for guidance. Many traditional English weather sayings have been passed down through generations, but have you ever paused to consider whether there's any truth behind them? One particular saying claims to forecast wet conditions during the summer months. The proverb concerns trees, specifically oak and ash, which develop buds at varying times depending on their temperature requirements and seasonal growth patterns. The saying goes: "Ash before oak is a soak, but oak before ash is a splash?" This suggests that if ash trees begin budding before oak trees, it could indicate a challenging period ahead with cold temperatures and heavy rainfall. Conversely, if oak flowers appear first, the season should bring warmth and sunshine. The saying is thought to originate from the 16th century, when it was traditionally employed by farmers and rural communities to forecast the coming months. During that era, it was commonplace to use phenology, the study of recurring natural phenomena, which examines patterns such as animal hibernation and botanical changes. Naturally, it's rather difficult to locate concrete scientific evidence supporting an ancient weather saying, but many people continue to trust them for predictions, and they have often proven surprisingly accurate. According to the traditional saying, this is down to the two species having different timings for when their buds start to open, which can also be influenced by their location. Ash trees are more commonly found in southern regions, for instance, while oak trees tend to thrive in the north. The Met Office has previously carried out research and discovered evidence suggesting that certain age-old weather sayings have a genuine scientific basis. Other comparable expressions remain widely quoted and have endured for centuries. This includes perhaps the most famous saying of all: "Red sky at night, shepherd's delight; red sky in the morning, shepherd's warning." This relates to the appearance of the sky, usually at dawn and dusk, as an indicator of the following day's conditions. It was originally employed to help shepherds plan ahead for their daily duties. Lending credibility to this ancient wisdom, the Met Office is believed to have offered an explanation for the striking colours that appear in the sky. According to their findings, when the atmosphere contains dust and particles that scatter blue wavelengths, this can allow red light to dominate, resulting in a reddened appearance to the sky. A more straightforward saying commonly employed for weather prediction is: "Clear moon, frost soon." This suggests that a cloudless night with no visible cloud coverage will generally result in temperatures falling sharply.