The influence of lunar phases on rainfall

The influence of lunar phases on the rainfall of 22 stations evenly spread over Tamilnadu was studied for a period of 21 years (1958-1978). Daily rainfall data were tabulated in relation to the lunar synodic cycle of 29.53 days which was divided into ten equal divisions. It was observed that the peak in the first quarter and the trough near the full moon were highly regular in all the cases. Further investigation was made with the rainfall data of three more stations Trivandrum, Pune and Sibsagar) from different regions for a period of 30 years (1928-1957). The statistical test (Chi-square) applied for the rainfall data did not show any significant relation between the moon phases and the heavy rainfall. The appearance of the peak in the first quarter and the trough near the full moon was evident from the analysis of these stations.