Wikipedia describes the
weather stone or
rock as "a humor display that pokes fun at the intricate technology used in modern weather forecasts
as well as the fact that their accuracy is less than perfect."
In a weather forecasting stone gadget, usually a stone or rock is suspended from a chain or rope and this is accompanied by a signboard indicating how
to read the weather forecasts by looking at the condition of the stone.
Here are some examples:
- If the rock is wet, it's raining.
- If the rock is swinging, the wind is blowing.
- If the rock is not visible, it is foggy.
- If the rock is white, it is snowing.
- If the rock is coated with ice, there is a frost.
We know these conditions are just common sense. And this make the weather stone such an easy and fun way to tell the weather.
There are many popular weather rocks or stones especially in the western world. One such stone hangs outside the Craven Arms pub and truck barn, Barden, Craven, North Yorkshire, U.K. and reputedly to be more accurate than Paul Hudson, the BBC weather man.
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Source from geograph.org.uk, author Tom Knapp
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Francis' Weather Forecasting Stone
I made these two mini versions of the weather forecasting stone - a flower box and an L-shaped frame that can be placed on the desk:
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| Miniature weather stone - flower pot and desk-top versions |
I also have adapted some of the popular indicators to suit the tropical weather conditions. The last item on the list is very specified to the Malaysian scenario.
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| A flower-box version and the signboard of indicators |
Flower-box Weather Stone
Step-by-step on how to do it:
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| Bought this ready-made Flower box from one of the shops selling cheap made-in-China stuff |
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| List of weather indicators printed out, laminated with PVC, and cut to size |
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| List of weather indicators mounted on hard cardboard |
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| An ice-cream box cover with cut-lines for making a container for the soil and plants |
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| Cut-out for the flower box. Hot glue is used to hold the foldings together. |
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| Flower box placed inside the fence. Fill this with garden soil. |
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| A small stone is affixed with stainless steel wire and link-chain (super-glue) |
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| The weather chart and suspended stone are firmly in place |
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| Flower box Weather Stone hangs beautifully on the pillar outside the house |
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Miniature Desk-top Weather Stone
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| A piece of old plank cut to size and lots of sandpaper |
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| Two pieces of wood vigorously polished till smooth with sand-paper |
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| Drilled two holes to affix screws for joining the two pieces together |
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| Filled the gaps with putty and apply several coats of varnish |
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| Tie the stone firmly with fine wire and attach it to a link-chain |
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| Attach the stone. Glue plastic studs at the base for firm support |
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| Glue the chart firmly. I added a cut-out prawn made from sea shell for decoration |
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| This desk-top version can be used as a book-end or a paper weight |
Instead of making your own L-shaped board, you can buy a ready-made book-end for your project. Choose one with a broad wooden upright to stick your signboard.
You can also use this desk-top version as a pen or pencil holder and a pocket for note-paper.
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| Some ice-cream box covers and a PVC tubing |
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| Cut the materials to fit the desk-top weather-stone and use hot glue to join the pieces |
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| A beautiful pen-and-pencil holder |
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| A pocket-full of paper for writing notes and messages |
