Today's Solar Term (小满)
Weatherwatch: Chinese farmers hope for rain at time of ‘small fullness’
The Chinese solar term xiaoman (小满), alternatively translated as “small fullness” or “grain buds”, corresponds with the last two weeks of May. In northern China, the name traditionally refers to growing wheat grains; in southern China, to the fullness of rivers with rainwater.
Xiaoman weather is generally warm and sultry, and traditional menus feature bitter herbs and cucumber, thought to counteract the heat.
Chinese weather folklore for this term is full of signs of approaching rain. Frogs croaking loudly in unison are said to be singing the rain down.