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If you grew up around farms in Tennessee, there’s a pretty good chance you’ve heard this one before. You’re driving down the road, you look over at a pasture and notice several cows lying down. Somebody in the car inevitably says, “Well, looks like rain is coming.” The idea that cows lie down before rain has been passed along for generations. There are several explanations people give for it, too. Some say cattle can sense falling atmospheric pressure. Others say increasing humidity makes them uncomfortable. And then there’s my personal favorite: cows supposedly lie down before a storm because they’re trying to “save themselves a dry patch of grass.”

It certainly sounds like the kind of weather knowledge that could have been learned through generations of farming. But can Bessie actually predict rain better than your favorite meteorologist? Well... I wouldn't uninstall the STN Weather App just yet.

Why Do Cows Lie Down Anyway?

Before we can determine whether a cow is predicting rain, we have to talk about something pretty important: Cows lie down a LOT. Lying down is a completely normal part of cattle behavior. They spend significant portions of the day resting and ruminating, better known as chewing their cud. And because cattle are social herd animals, it's not particularly unusual to see several members of a herd resting around the same time. That creates a pretty big problem if we're trying to use them as weather instruments.

Imagine driving past a pasture and seeing 20 cows lying down. A thunderstorm rolls through two hours later. You're probably going to remember that. Now imagine seeing those same 20 cows lying down on a sunny afternoon when absolutely nothing happens. You're probably not telling your friends about that one.

That's a classic example of how weather folklore can survive for generations. We naturally remember the occasions when the old saying appears to work and tend to forget all the times it doesn't.

But Can Cows Actually Sense Changes in the Weather?

Here's where the folklore gets a little more interesting. Weather absolutely CAN influence cattle behavior. Temperature, rainfall, wind, ground conditions and other environmental factors can affect how cattle behave. Research has documented changes in lying and standing behavior associated with weather conditions. But that doesn't necessarily mean cows are predicting what the atmosphere is about to do.

In fact, scientific research has found something that doesn't exactly help the old saying. Studies of dairy cattle have found that precipitation can actually reduce the amount of time cows spend lying down. Wet and muddy conditions can make the ground less appealing for resting, meaning cattle may spend more time standing instead. That's almost the opposite of what the folklore tells us.

There are also claims that cows may react to changes in atmospheric pressure or humidity before a storm arrives. Animals certainly can respond to changes in their environment, but there simply isn't good evidence showing that a pasture full of cows lying down is a reliable indicator that rain is approaching. The Royal Meteorological Society notes that a scientific connection between cows lying down and impending rain hasn't been established. So while Bessie might notice that the weather is changing, she's probably not secretly analyzing the approaching cold front.

FACT OR FICTION? 🐄🌧️

For this edition of Weather Folklore, I'm calling this one: MOSTLY FICTION! ❌ The Met Office has also examined this particular piece of weather folklore and concluded that cows lying down isn't a reliable way of determining whether rain is on the way. Cattle lie down for all sorts of reasons that have nothing to do with tomorrow's forecast. That doesn't mean generations of farmers were imagining every connection between their livestock and the weather. People who work around animals every day can certainly notice behavioral changes associated with heat, cold, wind, storms and other environmental conditions. The important distinction is between reacting to weather and predicting weather.

A cow changing its behavior because it's hot, raining or standing in mud is one thing. Looking across the pasture, seeing four cows lying down and declaring that it'll rain by supper? You might want a little more evidence. 😂

So the next time you drive past a Tennessee pasture and every cow is lying down, feel free to take note. Just don't cancel the ballgame until you've checked the radar.

And Speaking of Rain... What Does the REAL Forecast Say?

Ironically, we actually do have a small chance of rain in the forecast across Southern Middle Tennessee this afternoon, although most of us should stay completely dry. A large area of high pressure remains firmly established across the Southeast, keeping the heat wave going while also suppressing widespread thunderstorm development. Still, there is enough moisture and instability for an isolated shower or thunderstorm to pop up during the afternoon or early evening. We are generally keeping rain chances around 10-20% today and Friday. Atmospheric moisture remains quite high, so any storm that manages to develop could produce locally heavy rainfall. But thunderstorms remain the side story.

The heat is still the main event. Afternoon temperatures will once again climb into the middle and upper 90s across much of the region. Around Middle Tennessee, Heat Index values could reach approximately 105-109°, and a Heat Advisory remains in effect through Friday. Farther south across the Tennessee Valley, the Huntsville National Weather Service office has its Heat Advisory continuing through Saturday evening. Overnight won't provide much relief in many communities either, particularly farther north. Temperatures across portions of Middle Tennessee may only fall into the middle and upper 70s tonight. Friday is basically a rinse-and-repeat forecast: hot, humid and mostly dry, with another small opportunity for an isolated afternoon thunderstorm.

A Few More Storms Saturday, Then Some Humidity Relief

Our stubborn area of high pressure should finally begin shifting enough this weekend to allow a weak front and disturbance to approach the region. That should bring a slightly better opportunity for showers and thunderstorms Saturday, although this certainly doesn't look like an all-day washout. There is still quite a bit of uncertainty regarding exactly how storms evolve and how widespread they become.

The overall severe-weather threat appears low, but with plenty of heat, instability and moisture available, a few stronger storms could produce gusty or locally damaging winds, heavy rain and frequent lightning. Once the weak front passes, I do have at least a little bit of good news. Don't get too excited. We're not breaking out the hoodies…. High temperatures should remain in the 90s Sunday and into next week, but winds turning more northerly should begin pulling somewhat drier air into the region. Lower dew points would make the heat feel noticeably less oppressive, with Heat Index values closer to 100° rather than the 105-110° we've been dealing with during the peak of this heat wave.

Unfortunately, summer isn't finished with us yet. Highs remain in the 90s through much of next week, and our position near the edge of the upper-level ridge should keep small daily chances for afternoon showers and thunderstorms in the forecast. Maybe we'll just ask the cows which afternoon they think has the best chance!

The Bottom Line 🧾

🐄 Cows lying down does NOT reliably mean rain is coming.
🌦️ Weather can influence cattle behavior, but reacting to weather isn't the same thing as predicting it.
🌧️ Research has actually found that rain and wet conditions can cause cattle to spend less time lying down.
❌ VERDICT: Mostly fiction. Keep the cows in the pasture and leave the forecasting to the radar.
🔥 Today remains dangerously hot, with highs in the middle and upper 90s and Heat Index values potentially reaching 105-109°.
⛈️ Most communities stay dry today and Friday, although an isolated afternoon or evening thunderstorm is possible.
🌩️ Storm chances increase somewhat Saturday, and a few stronger storms can't be ruled out.
🍃 Somewhat drier air arrives behind a weak front, which should make the heat less oppressive Sunday even though temperatures remain in the 90s.
☀️ Hot weather continues next week, along with small daily chances for afternoon thunderstorms.
📰 Reminder: The Southern Tennessee Weather Blog, presented by Heritage South Community Credit Union, is updated Monday through Friday with fresh, locally tailored forecasts you can trust.

Weather Folklore: Can Cows Really Tell When It's Going to Rain?