Valley Forge Cupolas and Weathervanes 866-400-1776
Follow Us On Social Media!
  • Home
    • About Us
  • Specials
    • Architect's Page
    • CNC Window Special
    • Mailboxes, Lanterns & Posts
    • Luxury Gathering Series >
      • Fire Pits & Chairs
      • Accessories
      • Sets
  • Gallery
    • Garages
    • Barn Cupolas
  • Cupolas
    • Louver Cupolas (1-10)
    • Window Cupolas (11-20)
    • Signature Series (38-44)
    • Estate/Select Series (45-57)
    • Gazebo Cupolas (58-62)
    • Metal Cupolas (64-68)
    • Wood/Shed Cupolas (69-87)
    • PVC-Cedar (70-72)
    • Cupola Lanterns
  • Weathervanes
    • Sealife
    • Boats
    • Flying Birds
    • Running Animals
    • Finials & Arrows
    • Novelty Weathervanes
    • Smaller
    • Accessories
  • Custom
    • Custom Cupolas (21-37)+ >
      • Four Sides (21-29)
      • Six Sides (30-37)
      • Royal Crowne Custom (RC 1-12)
    • Custom Cupola Installation
    • VF Custom Designs
  • Shop Now
  • Contact
    • Cupola Sizing Charts
    • Installation
    • Contractors & Developers >
      • Just Completed in Sulphur Springs, Texas (February 2019)
      • Just Completed in Scarsdale, NY (January 2018)
    • Testimonials
    • Cupola Shop Visit
    • Blog
    • Partners
    • About Us

Ask Valley Forge Cupolas: How Do Weathervanes Work?

8/10/2017

0 Comments

 
For over 2,000 years, weathervanes have been an architectural staple in cities and countrysides around the world. Today, weathervanes are generally used to add beauty and elegance to a home, but with an understanding of how weathervanes work and your local geography, you can learn to predict the weather like the early settlers.

How Do Weathervanes Work?

Picture
To the untrained eye, weathervanes appear to be unbalanced, with one side larger and heavier than the other. Proper balance, however, is crucial to a weathervane’s function. The arrow or figure is the only part of the weathervane that moves, rotating on a vertical axis. The figure is designed so that one side has more surface area than the other, but the weight on both sides is the same.

When the wind blows, the larger side faces greater wind resistance and turns so that the smaller side faces into the wind. Wind direction is determined by where it is coming from. Therefore, if a weathervane is pointing south, the wind is coming out of the south and is therefore a Southerly wind.

How Do Weathervanes Predict the Weather?

Predicting the weather with weathervanes is something of a lost art. Today, we can turn on the tv and watch a channel dedicated solely to weather, or pull up the weather forecast on our phones with a simple tap of a finger. But just 100 years ago, farmers did not have access to up-to-the-minute weather forecasting. Understanding the wind patterns was crucial to growing a good crop. For example, farmers needed to know the prevailing winds to ensure proper pollination of their fields. They also needed to be sure not to plant their crops perpendicular to constant winds to avoid damage. This information helped farmers orient their fields and know where to plant trees to create a wind barrier.

Beyond that, the winds also helped farmers predict changes in the weather. With an understanding of local geography, the winds provide fairly reliable information. For example, in the Western United States, the following information generally applies:

  • West winds generally bring fair skies
  • Easterly winds usually bring storms
  • In California, northeast or east winds during the summer or autumn are hot, dry winds that can be gusty and strong
  • During the winter, north winds warn that stormy weather is approaching, possibly bringing snow
  • Southerly winds usually bring warmth, humidity and rain (sometimes gentle, sometimes torrential)

Beautiful, Functional Weathervanes from Valley Forge Cupolas

Whether you are looking for a traditional rooster weathervane or something more nautical, Valley Forge Cupolas has the weathervane that is perfect for you. Call us today at 866-400-1776 to learn more about our easy-to-install, durable copper weathervanes.
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Picture

    ​A Little

    About Us

    We are the "Cupola Specialists" who can help you with every aspect of your cupola selection. Let us do a customized digital quote so that you can see exactly how one of our beautiful vinyl or wood cupolas will look on your roof.

    Archives

    May 2025
    April 2025
    March 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    October 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016

    RSS Feed

Save up to 15% Off on All Cupolas
For your FREE quote, email [email protected] or call 866-400-1776!

© 2019. All Rights Reserved.