CW: This article discusses aircraft contrails, atmospheric conditions and weather forecasting. It distinguishes scientifically established condensation trails from unsubstantiated claims about chemical spraying. Weather predictions are subject to change.
Salford’s Sky Sends a Weather Warning? A Rainy Prediction for Tomorrow
An unusually busy sky above Salford on 14 November 2026, featuring numerous intersecting aircraft trails.Dear Cherubs,
I spent part of today, Saturday 14 November, looking up at the skies over Salford, and what caught my attention was the number of aircraft trails stretching across the atmosphere. Long white lines, intersecting patterns and trails spreading into wider formations made for quite a spectacle. But there may be something more interesting happening above us: a change in the weather.
My prediction? Rain tomorrow, Sunday, accompanied by temperatures that could continue their downward trend over the coming days. And, interestingly enough, the weather forecasts are already pointing in that direction.
THE SKY ABOVE SALFORD
Before anyone starts reaching for the conspiracy theories, let’s separate what we can observe from what we can actually establish.
The white trails behind aircraft are commonly known as condensation trails, or contrails. According to the Met Office, they form when water vapour from aircraft engines meets extremely cold air at high altitude, condensing and freezing into tiny ice crystals.
Some disappear almost immediately, while others remain visible for hours, gradually spreading and sometimes merging with existing high-level cloud.
NASA’s atmospheric research has also documented how persistent contrails develop in regions where the surrounding atmosphere contains sufficient moisture. In some circumstances, these trails can spread across substantial areas of sky.
So, although the patterns might look unusual, their appearance alone is not evidence of chemical spraying. The atmosphere has perfectly ordinary scientific explanations for producing some rather extraordinary-looking displays.
But here’s where the weather story becomes interesting.
A POSSIBLE CHANGE IN THE WEATHER
According to the Met Office, high-level cirrus clouds can sometimes signal an approaching weather front. Cirrostratus clouds, which can also develop from spreading contrails, may form ahead of a warm front. Their presence can indicate that more substantial cloud cover and persistent rainfall are approaching.
Historical meteorological guidance describes this familiar sequence: high clouds appear first, cloud cover gradually thickens, lower cloud develops, and eventually rain arrives as the weather front moves through.
That doesn’t mean every afternoon filled with aircraft trails guarantees rain the following morning. The distinction matters.
However, the forecast for Salford on Sunday, 15 November, makes my prediction particularly interesting.
The Met Office is forecasting increasingly cloudy conditions, followed by rain and showers, with a maximum temperature of approximately 9°C for the wider North West. Other local forecast information puts Sunday closer to 7°C.
Monday could feel colder still, with temperatures reaching approximately 6°C.
In other words, the rain prediction is looking rather reasonable, and the possibility of another temperature drop deserves attention.
THE PREDICTION
My photographs from today capture what I observed above Salford. Whether the formations were simply persistent contrails spreading through moisture-rich upper air or part of a wider cloud development, they certainly made me curious about what might follow.
Tomorrow will provide an interesting opportunity to compare today’s observations with the actual weather.
Will the rain arrive? Will temperatures fall further? And will the skies tell a story that becomes clearer as the hours pass?
One thing is certain: you don’t need a conspiracy theory to find the atmosphere fascinating. Sometimes, understanding ordinary meteorology is interesting enough.
Dear Cherubs, keep your eyes on the sky, but perhaps keep a waterproof jacket handy too. Salford might be exchanging its Saturday sunshine for a rather damp Sunday.
I’ll be watching.
The Thisclaimer logo blends a classic warning symbol with a brain icon to represent critical thinking, curiosity, and thoughtful disclaimersSources and further reading
1. Met Office – Contrails or condensation trails
https://weather.metoffice.gov.uk/learn-about/weather/types-of-weather/clouds/unusual-cloud-formations/contrails
2. Met Office – High clouds and approaching weather fronts
https://weather.metoffice.gov.uk/learn-about/weather/types-of-weather/clouds/high-clouds
3. Met Office – Air masses and weather fronts (historical meteorological guidance)
https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/api/assets/file/factsheet_10-air-masses-and-weather-fronts_2023pdf?prefix=assets
4. NASA – Aircraft contrail research and atmospheric humidity
https://www-pm.larc.nasa.gov/sass/contrail_factsheet.pdf
5. Met Office – Salford weather forecast
https://weather.metoffice.gov.uk/forecast/gcw279prq
6. Thisclaimer – Further commentary and observations
https://thisclaimer.com
7. Thisclaimer YouTube – Further discussions
https://www.youtube.com/@thisclaimer?sub_confirmation=1