In the winter of 2021, George King gained notoriety for predicting the arrival of the storm Filomena in Spain. He relied on cabañuelas, an ancestral weather forecasting method based on careful observation of natural signs. Since then, his social networks have gathered thousands of followers who track his forecasts.
Jorge Rey, a Burgos teenager with a strong interest in meteorology, publishes weekly forecasts from the Traditional Meteorological Institute and runs his own YouTube channel. His most recent post includes a collaboration with Pablo Ochera, who announced the end of a drought in an unconventional way.
Rey’s collaborator noted that ants in the area were frantically removing soil from their anthills. Based on this behavior, the team estimated that within three to four weeks the region could see a cold front or a drought-breaking rain event. In this view, the ants were interpreted as forecasters of rain.
Ant prediction: end of drought in Spain
Animal behavior can reflect changes in the atmosphere, and some creatures appear sensitive to shifts that precede storms and heavy rainfall. Ants, in particular, have shown awareness of subtle weather cues, including temperature drops that arrive before floods. Ant-based forecasting is a traditional practice that relies on observation rather than modern scientific methods. Signs such as ants relocating nests or using different nesting materials have been cited as indicators of upcoming rain. This is the approach used by Pablo Ochera to mark the anticipated rainfall date.
According to meteorological models, a notable shift in weather is expected in about ten days. Rey stated that the anticyclone would move north, steering Atlantic storms toward the Iberian Peninsula. This movement would help end the drought with substantial rainfall.
Storms are on the way, according to Jorge Rey
By examining atmospheric models and current conditions, Rey and Ochera predict a rapid change over time. They expect a cold air influx to approach from the Mediterranean slope accompanied by humid winds and precipitation. This pattern targets the drought-stricken regions most affected by dryness.
Rey notes that recent high temperatures have kept energy use high, but a forthcoming burst of cold air should bring ample rain. He emphasizes that this shift is very timely given Spain’s present situation.
Ochera adds that the combination of heat and lack of rain has created these dry conditions, which in turn raise the risk of fires. He urges caution and advises against lighting fires in or near wooded areas to minimize fire danger.