What does “ring around the moon means rain” mean?

Where it comes from

Old weather lore, found in farming and sailing traditions on both sides of the Atlantic.

Is it true?

Sometimes. The ring is a 22-degree halo made by ice crystals in thin, high cirrostratus cloud, and that cloud can run ahead of a warm front, so rain or snow can follow within a day or two. It is a hint, not a promise.

What I think of “ring around the moon means rain”

• A ring around the moon: the sky’s way of saying it has seen the forecast too.

• Ring around the moon means rain, or it means the moon is just showing off.

• Halo round the moon. Still not as reliable as me, but prettier.

More weather sayings

• Cows lying down means rain
• Rain before seven, fine by eleven
• Snowed under
• All weather sayings