Philipp J Crop Sci 2001, 26(1): 5-14 Released March 2003 TRADITIONAL WEATHER FORECASTING METHODS IN ILOCOS NORTE EVANGELINE S. GALACGAC AND CRISELDA M. BALISACAN Mariano Marcos State University Batac 2906, Ilocos Norte E-mail Address: rddirectorate@hotmail.com Tel No (077) 792-3131 The traditional weather forecasting methods (weather lore) used by the weather-wise folk as guide in their farming and fishing activities and for self-help disaster preparedness were documented. Weather-wise folk from the remote barangays of 19 municipalities of Ilocos Norte had almost similar indicators for the onset of rainy season or occurrence of adverse weather conditions. Accordingly, the unusual behavior of ants, earthworms, dragonflies, dogs, frogs and birds like the Himalayan swiftlet, lesser caucal, plaintive cuckoo, heron or honeybees usually predict an upcoming rain, typhoon or bad weather. The ripening and shedding of fruits of plants such as physic nut, bangkal, and siniguelas are also indicators of the onset of the rainy season. A long parallel band of feathery clouds, and moon with ring are also important clues to predict weather. To the fisher folk, the visible seawater evaporation and high seawaves are the most preferred indicators. These traditional weather predictors have been used by farmers and fishers for many years as handed down to most of them by their forefathers. These weather lore are more preferred than the information provided by PAGASA which to them is oftentimes too general to be of practical help. Key words: weather lore, animal behavior, meteorology, almanac, atmospheric indicators, astronomic indicators, clouds, seawaves, rainbow, lunar corona, plant phenology INTRODUCTION Weather forecasting is indispensable to the farmers of the Ilocos Region. Knowledge of the imminent coming of the rainfall season is very important especially in areas that depend substantially on rainfed farming because the farmers will then know it is time to sow their seeds. Predictions of adverse weather conditions, on the other hand, admonish farmers and thus, great losses in production especially rice and cash crops can be prevented. It has been their common experience that if rice is planted too early or too late, grain filling and harvesting are affected by water stress, heavy rains or typhoons. In turn, cash crops planted after rice are adversely affected. Fruit growers, fishermen and ordinary individuals share similar experiences. Ilocano weather-wise folk have depended upon close observation of nature to forecast both short and long range changes in weather called weather lore. These lore have been preserved and transferred to generations and farmers still rely on them despite the availability of weather forecasts and information from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) stations in Batac and Laoag in Ilocos Norte. Farmers claim the PAGASA forecasts are too general, that a location-specific forecast is more preferred, and so they cling to their lore. Most educated people would dismiss old-time weather lore as beliefs simply designed to explain mysteries of nature that old folk could not explain any other way. And because there is still no way to say exactly what the weather will be in the next day or months in a specific location, even with the technology we have, weather lore still remains a part of forecasting, It is then essential to understand the perception and categorization of weather of the different cultures in the process of making meteorological information useful. And if daily or seasonal climate can be predicted to a degree that makes it possible to respond appropriately and effectively in the agricultural sector, this would potentially have a major impact on food security. This study, therefore, attempts to put traditional weather forecasting in Ilocos Norte in a proper scientific footing. Weather lore can serve as a supplement to the public meteorological information from PAGASA in developing a farm weather advisory that can meet the information needs of farmers in planning their farm operations and in establishing cropping calendar. Moreover, the reliable indicators can be important