The 5 Best Storm Glasses

A storm glass helps you to predict the coming weather. These sealed containers are also known as weather glasses or camphor glasses. No matter what you call them, these glass tubes are filled with a special combination of liquid chemicals. The mixture typically includes ammonium chloride, potassium nitrate, camphor and alcohol. There is also water inside. These chemicals react to atmospheric changes, so you can look at the crystal patterns they form and make an educated guess about coming weather. If you're ready to try your hand at reading the weather with a storm glass, here are five of the best to try first.

Kikkerland ST71 Storm Glass

Tube Shaped Storm Glass

This decorative storm glass rests in a solid beech wood base.

Best Overall

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If you’re looking for a stylish storm glass, check this one out. It’s a glass tube that rests securely in a solid beech wood base. It’s a small storm glass. The base measures 2.4-inches square. The tube is 5.5-inches tall. On the tube, you’ll find directions for reading the crystal patterns inside so you always know what to expect. The crystals will cluster together or disperse away from each other depending on the atmospheric pressure. After receiving your storm glass, you will need to let the sun warm it up to activate it. There are good directions for this included, along with tips on where to place it for the best results.

Pros

Solid wood base
Contemporary design
Directions for reading the crystals printed on the tube

Cons

It’s really small

Lily’s Home Desktop Weather Station with Galileo Thermometer and Fitzroy Storm Glass

Desktop Weather Station

This beautiful storm glass comes with a Galileo Thermometer to give you more information about the weather.

Most Beautiful

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Are you looking for a beautiful storm glass to display in your home? This indoor weather station is beautiful. The cherry finish wood frame holds two different glass tubes. In addition to a storm glass, this product also includes a Galileo Thermometer. This tool works best indoors, and can read temperatures between 64-80 degrees Fahrenheit. It goes up in 4-degree increments. This thermometer has five colorful spheres with gold plated tags. The storm glass helps predict weather a day or two in advance. You can use the crystal patterns to help you determine if there will be sun, cloud, fog, snow, or more. It is approximately 8-inches high, 4 1/2-inches wide, and 3-inches deep. This weather station also makes a unique gift.

Pros

Two weather tools (storm glass and Galileo Thermometer)
Beautiful cherry finish wood frame
Great to give as a gift

Cons

The crystals take up to a week to settle before they begin to work

Esschert Design Weather Glass

Antique Brown Cast Iron Frame

You can hang this storm glass up outside.

Best for Outdoor Use

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This beautiful storm glass comes with an antique brown cast iron frame. It looks very ornate. The glass hangs securely on the hook of the frame. You will need a sturdy way to hang it, as the frame is on the heavy side. The glass portion features a spout. As barometric pressure changes, the amount of water in the tube will change. This product works best outdoors, out of direct sunlight, though you can hang it anywhere. When you receive this storm glass, you will need to fill it yourself. It comes with the dye and syringe you will need. You may need to refill it over time. The colorful liquid contrasts well with the glass, so it is easy to read.

Pros

Colorful water is easy to read
Solid cast iron frame
Unique design with a spout

Cons

Doesn’t include great directions for the initial fill

Constantinople Storm Glass Weather Predictor 2 in 1 Set

Two Storm Glasses

You get two storm glasses in this beautiful set, one small and one large.

Best Value

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If you’re looking for a storm glass to give as a gift, this set arrives packed in a gift-style box. A weather fan would appreciate this product. The two storm glasses are packed carefully inside, to help ensure they arrive safely. You will receive one small storm glass and one larger one. The small one is approximately 4.5-inches tall, while the large one is about 7.5-inches tall. Both are on a wooden base, so they can be set anywhere. They really do make a fun addition to your decor. These give you the most accurate results when they’re placed near a large window, or in the outside air.

Pros

Comes with two storm glasses
Great packaging to give as a gift
Wooden bases so you don’t need to hang them up

Cons

They should be placed outside for best results

Lily’s Home Admiral FitzRoy’s Storm Glass

Elegant Simplicity

This storm glass is nestled into a cherry finished wooden frame.

Most Simple

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This storm glass features classic flair. It’s a tube displayed inside of a bright cherry finished wooden frame. It stands up on its own, so you can set it on a table or shelf. It’s meant to remain in a vertical position, so make sure you don’t set it down horizontally. There are directions for interpreting the crystal patterns printed on the tube. This means you won’t have to stop and find a booklet when you want to try to predict the weather. However, the print is fairly small. This storm glass measures 7-inches high, and the tube inside is 5.5-inches tall. You can use this product inside or out. The crystals may need a week or two to stabilize and adapt to the environment you have them in.

Pros

Simple storm glass
Directions for interpreting the crystals on the glass
Stands on its own

Cons

The print is very small, which can be hard to read unless you are standing very close

Frequently Asked Questions

How does a storm glass work?

Storm glasses are designed to predict the coming weather. They typically show you what the weather will be like one or two days in the future. The chemicals inside react to both barometric pressure and temperature. As the crystals change, you may notice streaks, cloudiness, or clumping. These changes represent potential changes in weather.

Are storm glasses accurate?

Storm glasses are an ancient technology used to predict weather. Modern technology and methods typically provide a much more accurate result. If you need to know an accurate prediction of weather, a storm glass will not be your best tool. However, most storm glasses will show some changes to the crystals with changing weather patterns. Learning to read those changes can take practice. You will need to look at the information that came with your glass and compare the results you see to the directions. The more you practice using your storm glass, the better you will become at it.

Who invented the storm glass?

No one knows for sure who invented the storm glass. They began growing in popularity in the middle of the 18th century. Admiral Robert Fitzroy spent a lot of time researching this method of predicting weather. He was a pioneer in the field of forecasting, and documented the use of storm glass barometers. Many storm glasses to this day bare his name. However, he is not the original inventor of the product.