Matt
How to Read Storm Glass Guide
If you’re unsure what storm glass is, it is a small weather-predicting device known as a pinpoint weave or camphor weather glass. Born out of the 1800’s, the idea is to reflect the temperature around you, similar to how a barometer or thermometer works. As the temperature drops, crystals will form in the glass; over time, those crystals can grow into long blades that are incredible to see. However, it is not very accurate for actual weather prediction. Storm glass is more about a beautiful display while showing temperature fluctuations. Knowing how to get the best visuals from your storm glass will make ownership a much more enjoyable and predictable experience. This is why writing this short storm glass guide made sense so you, too, can have a great experience.
Storm Glass Reading Chart
Storm Glass Guide
1: Warm to Cold
If you keep your glass indoors, chances are the temperature is relatively consistent at somewhere between 65-75 degrees. At this temperature the storm glass will typically have flakes along the bottom with an otherwise clear liquid above. Cold air is what brings the storm glass to life so all you need to do is either stick it in the fridge for 15 minutes, or set it outside if the temperature is below 60 to see it pop.
2: The Window Sill Guide — Best for Accuracy!
The window sill is my favorite place to recommend placing the storm glass if you want it acclimated to the weather outside. Generally, a safe place to keep it is behind a window screen as it is protected from rain and won’t fall. You might have a better place to keep yours, so use your best judgment to find the best viewing experience for yourself. I know a lot of folks who like to keep theirs in the kitchen window above the sink, and they get some super cool looking crystal growth over time.
3: Change the Temps!
Keeping the storm glass in a cold environment will eventually fill it full with what appear to be crystals. If you’d like some space to see the clear liquid with suspended ‘snow flakes’ consider bringing it indoors to warm up. Then once it’s clear, put it back into a cold environment and watch as it pops after a few minutes.
My favorite state is when the storm glass is clear with flakes that resemble snow, suspended in the liquid as if time stopped. And I’m going to give you a few ideas to try out to get there too.
You can get this visual when the storm glass goes from a warm environment in the 65-70 range and drop it down to the 50s,40s,30s. At that point, crystals will start to form throughout the glass like the image below.
Wrapping Up Storm Glass Guide
In conclusion, I hope this storm glass guide is helpful to better understanding how and what will keep your viewing experience primo!
The Best Storm Glass Weather Predictor?
If you’re scrubbing the internet trying to figure out where to buy a storm glass weather predictor / weather globe, you’re going to find a lot of different retailers selling more or less the same thing. Go ahead and do a search and the most likely result is a teardrop shaped glass that sits on a small piece of wood of various sizes. I bought one myself to see if they were worthy opponents and I was not impressed. These are inferior products that flood in from overseas with very cheap materials, and I know we do it better.
Whether you decide to get storm glass from Up High Down Below or from another bespoke creator, there are a few things to keep in mind…
Storm Glass Weather Predictor
A storm glass is a type of weather predictor that was first developed in the 18th century and was commonly used on ships to forecast the weather at sea. The storm glass consists of a sealed glass container filled with a mixture of chemicals, including alcohol and camphor. As the temperature and atmospheric pressure change, the liquid inside the storm glass will crystalize and form patterns, which can be used to predict the weather.
The patterns formed in the liquid are said to indicate clear, cloudy, rainy, or stormy weather conditions. For example, if the liquid is clear, it is typically a sign of good weather, while the formation of large crystals may indicate an approaching storm. The storm glass is not a scientifically proven weather predictor and its accuracy may vary, but it can be a fun and interesting way to observe changes in the weather.
Today, storm glass are often used as decorative items and can be found in a variety of shapes and sizes. They are popular for their unique appearance and ability to provide a visual representation of the weather.
What Is a Storm Glass Weather Predictor?
While price might dictate a lot, it also should be an indicator of what it is you’re buying. As it goes for most things in life, “you get what you pay for”. In the case of storm glass weather predictors it tends to be true. Look for quality glass, something thick with a good method of sealing. The teardrop storm glass typically don’t work well because they are made with subpar materials.
Shop Up High Down Below On Etsy!
How To Know If The Glass Weather Predictor Materials Are Good.
The best way to know if you’re getting a quality storm glass is to look at the photos! Are there photos? Macros? If the pictures are cut off and not of high quality, chances are they’re working around something. Do the pictures show the crystallization of the storm glass? A lot of the cheaper glasses from China come in thin glass filled with subpar chemical compounds that result in undefined crystals even if you place it in a fridge / freezer as a test. I suspect the fluid is diluted.
Notice how well defined the crystals are when up close and personal with a well made storm glass. They are arguably snow flakes.
This is an actual photo of the crystals I’m used to seeing in our storm glass, indiscernible from actual snow flakes! This is general observed when the glass has been sitting inside and is rather warm, but is then exposed to some chilly air (40-50 degrees) for about 10-15 minutes. If looking to give a cute glass gift to someone it’s important to be sure it is made well. A high quality “glass barometer” will give off a beautiful show, it just takes a little investigation. While you might pay more up front, the experience should be well worth it.
Made In USA?
Products made in the USA is important to us because we feel that having a strong manufacturing base here ultimately leads to a stronger middle class and a healthier country overall. That is why we’ve worked as hard as we can with our supplier to purchase glass that is made in the USA. Currently the small flask is sourced here, while we work to secure more glassware. Regarding the ingredients, 75% are sourced from the USA. One day we hope to have everything domestically sourced, and we will not stop until that becomes a reality.
Please consider taking a look at our shop: UpHighDownBelow Etsy.
Does a Storm Glass Need To Be Near a Window?
Does a Storm Glass Need To Be Near a Window? The answer might surprise you, but it’s not a simple yes or no answer. This article will dig into the answer and some additional information on getting the best experience with your storm glass weather predictor!
Does a Storm Glass Need To Be Near a Window?
A storm glass does not necessarily need to be near a window, but it is best to place it where it can receive natural light and is not subjected to extreme temperatures or direct sunlight. This will allow the storm glass to function optimally and provide accurate weather predictions.
So, in short, no, but in practice, yes, if you want it to be interesting. Let me explain…
If you want it to sparkle when it gets chilly outside and change throughout the year with a new look every day, it should be placed near a window!
Storm glass that’s been allowed to chill in the air
Half the fun is passing by it every day and seeing how different it is, and keeping it near a window should allow for temperature fluctuations. This way, the storm glass is never the same, so the more temperature fluctuations there are, the better the crystal growth.
A small shelf like this is great for keeping the storm glass attuned to the cold from outside.
It wouldn’t be right to start this off with a disclaimer. A storm glass ‘weather instrument’ isn’t more than a cool science experiment in a bottle with a long history of “predicting” weather. It is not necessarily accurate, and the truth is, no matter where you put the storm glass, if it lives indoors, it will reflect the ‘weather’ surrounding it. Storm glass cannot somehow read the weather outside because it relies on temperature changes only. It does not react to changes in air pressure because it is sealed.
The bottom line is if you keep your storm glass in a stable and warm environment (i.e a warm house) it will settle and potentially turn clear. If you want the crystals to show like in the pictures, put them near a window. Place the storm glass near a chilly window or a protected space outside so that the coolness from the window keeps the storm glass activated with interesting visuals. If you want yours to look similar to the picture below, it needs to be ‘in tune’ with the chilly air outside.
Just remember that the cap is made from metal, so if you leave it outside make sure it’s protected from the elements. Either coat the cap in polyurethane, or keep it from getting rained on. Want to learn more about where to place a storm glass, then click here.
How Does Storm Glass Work?
The Fitzroy storm glass contains distilled water, alcohol, and various chemicals. This concoction is sealed within a glass container, allowing for clear observation of its contents.
How To Read Storm Glass
- Crystallization Patterns: When atmospheric conditions change, the chemicals inside the Fitzroy storm glass form distinct patterns. These patterns range from being clear to cloudy to forming various crystal structures. Historically, each pattern was believed to correlate with specific weather conditions:
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- Clear liquid: Fairweather
- Cloudy liquid with small stars: Thunderstorms
- Cloudy liquid: Overcast or rain
- Crystals at the bottom: Frost
- And so on for other patterns.
- The idea was that by observing these patterns, one could make predictions about the forthcoming weather.
- Temperature Sensitivity: Modern understanding suggests that the primary factor affecting the behavior of the chemicals inside the Fitzroy storm glass is temperature changes. As the temperature fluctuates, the solubility of the chemicals in the mixture changes, leading to the formation or dissolution of crystals. This means that while the storm glass may respond to weather changes, it primarily reacts to temperature variations.
Limitations
The scientific basis behind the specific crystal formations and their association with weather conditions is not well-established. While the storm glass is a beautiful and intriguing instrument, its accuracy and reliability for predicting the weather are questionable. Many researchers believe that most of the changes observed in the storm glass are due to temperature changes rather than direct atmospheric conditions.
How Can Your Storm Glass Be A Good Weather Predictor?
The best thing anyone can do is to keep the glass where it’s in touch with the actual weather outside. So something like an unheated garage would allow the glass to be in touch with more temperature variations, thus giving you not only a decent idea of the environment it’s been in — but it’ll give you a pleasing viewing experience (which is what we’re after). For those that live in environments with cooler fall/winter / spring seasons, you would likely see that once the chemical hits 40-50 degrees, the glass starts to come to life. You just need to be patient and willing to experiment with the placement.
How To Calibrate a Storm Glass?
How do you calibrate a storm glass? It’s the same concept as the above paragraph explaining how to get a storm glass to act. Expose the storm glass to real fluctuations in temperature!
The liquid is extremely hot at about 200 degrees and clear during the manufacturing process of making the storm glass. If I let it cool down on a shelf, it might eventually form crystals, but then again, it’s generally about 72-75 degrees in the space, and it’s not very encouraging once it cools down. It is why, after the initial cool down after manufacturing I place the glass into a refrigerator for 15 minutes to check how well the crystals form for quality control. Once the storm glass has a chance to chill (pun intended), it will appear like the cute glass you see above, and that’s the kind of magic we’re all after!