does the saying, "if you hear the train, it is going to rain" have any truth?

Question

Just trying to figure out if sound travels better before or during a rain storm.

Answer 1

This is indeed often true. If the train is too far away to hear on most days, you might still hear it when a cold front moves in (bringing rain) due to sound reflecting on the warm air interface above the front.

When a cold front collides with warm air, the two air mass don't just slam into each other. The cold air slides under the warm air, and warm air rises above it. This creates an abrupt transition from cold on the bottom to warm on the top (it rains because the warm air can no longer support its water content at that altitude). Since the molecules are moving faster in warm air, the speed on sound in it is faster. In terms of sound wave propagation, that means it has a lower index of refraction. like light inside an optical fiber, sound striking the interface at a shallow angle, then, will reflect of off it. That's back to earth where it can be heard. You might not hear the direct sound because it's being blocked by trees and buildings and such.

Answer 2

For some reason, sounds do travel farther when the air is preparing for a change in the weather from clear to stormy. If you would not normally hear a train, then hear one (or in my case, a clock chime nearly 2 miles away), it is likely to be rainy within the next day or so. But don't bet on this, since other flukes of air pressure can also cause this, such as a temperature inversion.

Answer 3

When a storm is coming, the atmospheric pressure falls. However, atmospheric pressure has almost no effect on a sound wave traveling through the air. Therefore, a coming storm has no useful effect on sound traveling through air.

Answer 4

If that was the case, it would rain about 10 times a day here. So, I would have to say No!

Answer 5

No, I'm from Texas and other parts of the southwest and I hear trains all the time, but it seldom rains. I guess this would only work if you were pretty far from the train and only heard it infrequently.

Answer 6

i've never heard that quote.
ubt its an interesting theory. maybe before it rains the pressure in the atmoshpere helps sound travel

Answer 7

I hear the train all day long..everyday. Whether it's raining or not

Answer 8

feel like going out doors to listen for that train if it is to bring rain, this is Arizona so no truth to it sorry.

Answer 9

Moisture in the air increases the velocity of sound.

Answer 10

I think the correct saying is

If you get the cane you'll feel the pain