Plants and animals have been nature’s weather indicators for centuries before satellite images, gadgetry and big data processing enabled reliable weather predictions as we know them today.

Animals are in sync with nature and sense wind shift, humidity and pressure change before we do. They need to protect themselves from severe weather and seek shelter based on their sensations.

A very well known indicator is the dragonflies flying in a group three to four meters above ground level. If you witness such a scene it will probably rain in the evening.

The Golden shower tree (known as kanikonna in Kerala) reaches flowering peak exactly 45 days before rains start. A neem tree in full bloom indicates an arrival of ample rain.

Dropping of flowers from the Palash (flame-of-the-forest) tree indicates the onset of monsoon.