A new exhibition exploring how the turbulent weather on the moors above Haworth inspired the lives and works of the Bronte sisters opens tomorrow.

Artist Rebecca Chesney has produced a series of screen prints relating weather patterns to key dates during the literary sisters’ lives.

As part of her research, she read letters and novels by the Brontes and examined local historical weather records, cross-referencing those with present-day data she obtained by installing a digital weather station at the Bronte Parsonage Museum.

She also worked with a group of “weather collectors” at Haworth Primary School.

Rebecca analysed the number of times each Bronte sister described a particular type of weather in their novels, to identify the elements that each most frequently drew upon – Charlotte precipitation, Emily wind and Anne sunshine. This research formed the basis of The Three Bells sculpture, which will be exhibited in the parsonage garden. Bell was the sisters’ writing name.

And the weather was frequently mentioned in the sisters’ personal correspondence.

Charlotte’s references to the changing weather became more urgent in her letters throughout 1848 and 1849 as she lost her three siblings one by one to consumption. It was hoped that the milder climate of Scarborough might help to improve Anne Bronte’s condition, but it was not to be, and she died there in May 1849.

To accompany the Hope’s Whisper exhibition, Rebecca will be in conversation with writer and critic Alexandra Harris on July 26 at 7pm. Tea and cake will be served. Tickets at £16 must be booked via jenna.holmes @bronte.org.uk, or (01535) 640188.