Ambient Weather YG637S Admiral Fitzroy Storm Glass

How this storm glass really works is a mystery, but it is believed that electromagnetic changes in weather patterns activate crystals inside (sealed-glass chamber fills with crystals when air pressure decreases). Famed meteorologist Admiral Fitzroy used a storm glass in 1750 on a historic voyage with Charles Darwin.

A storm glass works on the premise that temperature and pressure affect solubility, sometimes resulting in clear liquid; other times causing precipitants to form. However, the method by which this works is not fully understood. Although it is well-established that temperature affects solubility, some studies have simultaneously observed several different storm glasses forming similar crystal patterns at different temperatures. In addition, sealed glasses are not exposed to atmospheric pressure changes and do not react to the pressure variations associated with weather systems.

Some people have proposed that surface interactions between the glass wall of the storm glass and the liquid contents account for the crystals. Explanations sometimes include effects of electricity or quantum tunneling across the glass.