weather house - n a model house with two human figures, one that comes out to foretell bad weather and the other to foretell good weather

For many years now we have had a small Dutch style weather house in our bookcase and the inhabitants of this little house really have become a part of our family. If its a good day the woman will come out and if the Dutch summer turns wet the man has his umbrella ready as he moves out of his door.

Originally many weather houses were made in Germany and Switzerland and styled in the Schwarzwald look. The Netherlands have their own selection and you can find many interesting examples of Dutch styled weather houses in the "Weatherhouses and Birdhouses" category. 

How does a weather house work? 

A weather house is an interesting way to display the air humidity. A typical house has two doors next to each other. When the weather is warm and dry and the humidity low a woman comes out. When the humidity rises a man comes outside to indicate that their is rain to be expected. 

The man and woman are balanced on a turntable which is pulled by a spring. An opposite force is created by a strand of real hair (usually horse hair or intestines but these days more often made of an artificial material) that strongly reacts to changes in the air humidity) The strand grows or shrinks depending on the air humidity. This makes the figures turn and either the man or woman will move out of the house. 

For the best results the weather house should be in a room without central heating -- as this will keep the air humidity artificially low. 

Weather houses often also have a thermometer to indicate the current room temperature.