Home / Editor's Pick /

Can crickets reveal the temperature?

06:00
1 May 2022

Weather myths
Can crickets reveal the temperature?

Spring means that we will soon hear the chirping of crickets once again, but could you use their chirps to work out the temperature?

Yes, as strange as it sounds there is a way of using the frequency of the chirps to calculate how warm it is in your area.

The relationship was first discovered by Margarette W. Brooks in 1881 but is known as the Dolbear’s Law after Amos Dolbear who published the findings in 1897.

It’s a simple measure to carry out. Simply count the number of chirps in 25 seconds, divide that number by three and add four to find the temperature in Celsius.

This doesn’t work as accurately with field crickets as their chirping is influenced by other factors but will still provide a rough temperature.

So, as the crickets begin to reappear and their chirps once again flow through the air try this trick yourself.

Ryan Hathaway
More on the topic
Weather map of Europe with high and low pressure areas marked. Isobar lines show the pressure distribution, alongside a forecast map. Different weather conditions from northern to Southern Europe.
Monday, 22 December 2025

"High over low"

Blocking weather conditions at Christmas
Split image showing a family and children playing and sledding on a snowy field with winter hills on the left, and a UK weather forecast map on the right with sun and cloud icons, city temperatures, and cloud cover over northern Scotland, divided by a curved white line.
Wednesday, 24 December 2025

Unlikely this year

Defining a White Christmas
Radar map showing widespread blue rain bands over the UK and Ireland with a triangular heavy-rain warning icon placed over central Britain.
Tuesday, 16 December 2025

Thursday rain

Incoming downpour prompts warnings
All weather news
This might also interest you
Weather graphic showing rain and wind fields over the Canary Islands and a central warning symbol.
Friday, 12 December 2025

Storm and rain

Turbulent weather in the Canary Islands
Outline of Santa Claus with a yellow and white hat, "Ho-Ho-Ho" next to the outline above a Christmas tree.
Thursday, 25 December 2025

Merry Christmas!

Wishes from Weather & Radar
plit image showing a double rainbow over a rocky shoreline on the left and sheep grazing in a green field under stormy clouds on the right.
Sunday, 2 November 2025

Your weather - Your shots

Mixed conditions on an unsettled week
All articles
Weather & Radar

Weather & Radar is also available on

Google Play StoreApp Store

Company

Contact us Privacy Policy Legal info Accessibility statement

Services

Uploader

Socials

facebooktwittertikToklinkList