Weather Glass Barometer

The Weather Rises and Falls.  Weather forecasting is just like it was some three centuries ago. Called the ‘poor man’s’ barometer, this decorative hand blown glass instrument accurately forecasts weather hours in advance, just by using atmospheric pressure. By the 17th century, square-riggers carried a weatherglass next to the compass on the chart room table. The weatherglass invokes the spirit of times past when people used simple inventions to guide their daily lives, often with highly satisfying results.

• How to fill the weatherglass:  Hold spout under tap and fill with a thin stream of water. The water level of the bottle itself should be approximately one inch (2.5cm) above the place where the spout joins the bottle. If used outdoors, fill with rubbing alcohol during winter, to avoid freezing. Use a drop of food coloring to achieve the desired color.

• Consult the Weatherglass Every Day. The weatherglass accurately forecasts weather changes 8 to 12 hours in advance. The rise and fall of the water level in the curved spout indicates weather conditions as follows:

• Slow rise to top of spout: Indicates approaching storm 8-24 hours in advance. The storm may or may not change its course.
• Rapid Rise to top of spout: Indicates approaching local storm. If the storm changes its course, this will be forecast by immediate fall of the water to normal level.
• Bubbling out of spout: Indicates rapidly approaching local storm only a few hours away.
• Rapid fall below top of spout during storm: Indicates that the storm is nearly over.
• Holding steady halfway up spout: Indicates clear weather.
• Hot Weather: Will make water level rise about an inch (2.5cm). Disregard this as ‘forecast’ as it is caused by a sudden increase in temperature.

Installation: The weatherglass should not be hung in the sun or near a radiator, as excessive heat prevents proper operation. Once hung in place, do not move it unless necessary. A small piece of blotting paper can be placed in the drop catcher to absorb the drip from the spout in stormy weather.