The Weatherman
The morning news comes on, and the weatherman announces it is going to be cold today. There will be rain with lightning and thunder. There is even a possibility of the weather changing to snow. A family member is flying out the door, and you want to warn her of the change in the weather pattern.
In just a moment, you will be able to sign this from the doorway as she is getting in the car. The added communication benefits that come with long-distance signing are yet another great reason to learn sign language.
WEATHER: Use the “W” hands, palms facing. Twist your hands in opposite directions twice. This sign represents the ever-changing weather patterns.
CLOUD, FOG: Make a swirling motion with both “claw” hands above your head for “cloud.” The sign for “fog” is similar to the “cloud” sign, except it's formed about waist high. This makes perfect sense: clouds are in the sky, and fog is near the ground.
SNOW: Wiggle the fingers of the “open five” hands, dropping your hands down several times, imitating falling snowflakes.
NOte: In Chapter 3 you were introduced to the sign for “rain.” You can change “rain” to “snow” just by wiggling your fingers.
THUNDER: Tap both “A” hands alternately against your chest. You can feel the rumble in your body.
LIGHTNING: Use your index finger and trace a downward zigzag movement, imitating a lightning bolt.
WIND, BREEZE: Sweep the “open five” hands side to side in front of your body. The intensity with which you move your hands back and forth in front of your body will indicate the wind's gentleness or its ferocity.
SUN: Use your index finger and form a clockwise circle above the right side of your head. Variation: To sign “sunshine,” sign “sun,” then form a wide “open five” to show the rays of the sun.
SKY: Using both “flat” hands, palms facing, cross your arms in front of your body above your head in an arched movement and spread your arms open. Variation: This sign can be formed using one “curved” hand forming a large arc from left to right above the head.
