In the second half of the 19th century, Richard Inwards collected legends related to the weather. He wrote: “When cats wash their mouths with their paws, it means rain is coming, especially when they cover their ears with their paws while washing.”

There is much that is unclear about this, but there must be some biological explanation for the phenological abilities of cats, understood only by a select few. What if it is not witchcraft, but simply the increased sensitivity of the inner ear and eardrums to slight changes in atmospheric pressure? And do changes in humidity also affect the surface of the free membrane?

When we take off in an airplane or even ride an elevator in a tall building, our ears feel blocked and sound distorted; apparently, cats experience something similar when rain approaches. We only see a paw rubbing an ear, while changes in the atmosphere, felt by the cat, have begun. A cat living a free life naturally does not like to leave its home in search of food in heavy rain, as wet fur cannot provide comfort or protection.

Here are some observations related to cat predictions:

• If a large cat is lying on its back, it means the weather will get warmer.
• If your pet curls up into a ball, it will be frosty.
• If it sleeps with its nose hidden in its belly or covered with its paw, it will be cold.
• If a cat fluffs up or licks its tail, there will be a blizzard or downpour.
• If it washes and licks its paws, sunny weather is coming.
• If it licks its fur furiously, bad weather and gloomy skies are coming.
• If a cat scratches behind its ears, rain or snow is coming.
• If it scratches the wall with its paws, the wind will pick up.
• If a cat scratches the floor, there will be wind and blizzard.
• If it sharpens its claws on a table leg, the weather will change.
• Cats sneeze exclusively when rain is coming.