Seaweed
Psychic Seaweed?
Seaweed can, it is said, be used to predict the weather as it can absorb ambient moisture. Therefore, if dry seaweed hanging up goes limp, it means there’s damp in the air. It is interesting to note that the people who say this are often somewhat vague when pressed for further scientific details. Apparently if seaweed is dried then left outside, and you later discover it has become wet, then there’s probably been some rain7. One h2g2 Researcher reports:
My experience of seaweed as a weather predictor came from my grandfather who was a treasure house of esoteric trivia. The required seaweed is ‘Bladder wrack’. This is the seaweed that generally litters British beaches and has lovely little blister-like bits. I know this isn’t particularly eloquent but you get the general picture. Anyway, here’s how you beat your local weatherman. Hang said seaweed on a nail outside. If, after a period of hanging there mindlessly, you are able to pop one of the ‘blisters’ then the weather should be dry. If, on the other hand, you cannot make it pop – it is probably going to rain.
FACT:
