The weather-predicting business is a tough one. According to folklore, all you have to do is look to the squirrels! Or measure the thickness of onion skins! Let’s have a look at some signs of a bad winter according to weather lore.
The competition for my job predicting winter weather is horrendous! Sure, we always look forward to the release of The Old Farmer’s Almanac annual forecast but the squirrels offer up some impressive rodent wisdom as well.
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Squirrels gathering nuts in a flurry,
Will cause snow to gather in a hurry.
That make sense. If winter is going to be cold, better store up more food! In addition, a tough winter is ahead if squirrels’ tails are very bushy. Even squirrel nesting patterns tell us how cold a winter will be. Nests higher in trees suggest a colder, snowier winter; nests that are located lower in trees suggest a more milder winter.
Image: Squirrels know about winter! Source: National Park Service
Birds and bees will give you some hints, too, if you observe closely. As with squirrels, when birds migrate early or bees build their nests high in the trees, the winter is going to be awful. The old saying goes:
See how high the hornets nest,
‘twill tell how high the snow will rest.
How about the woolly worms? Ever seen those fuzzy-wuzzy worms cross the road in autumn? The furry bands of brown and rust on a woolly caterpillar will tell you if the upcoming weather will be a cold one.
Image: “Are your chrysanthemums really pretty? Get out the mittens.” Even the flowers know! Source: Wikimedia
Trees and plants always give cues about rain and cold weather, if you observe closely. When leaves drop early, autumn and winter will be mild; but if they fall late, winter will be severe.
Then there are the onion skins! Folklore claims that thicker onion skins can signal a cold and snowy winter.
Onion’s skin very thin,
Mild winter coming in;
Onion’s skin thick and tough,
Coming winter cold and rough.
–Gardener’s Rhyme
Other signs of a bad winter are:
- Thicker than normal corn husks indicate a harsh winter ahead.
- Same with tough apple skins!
- Flowers in bloom late in autumn indicate a bad winter.
- Thick hair on a cow’s neck
- Larger spider webs
- Ants marching in a line
- Plentiful berries and nuts (which might be why the squirrels are so busy!)
Weather Lore and Science Go Together
Some of these are based on old-fashioned observation. But some goes back to science.
Interestingly, weather folklore warning of a harsh winter is based on La Niña. So, it’s a little bit of art and science!
La Niña tends to be dry in summer and cold in winter, so if birds leave early, the leaves fall quickly, onions and apples are tough, and caterpillars are short, it may be due to the La Niña drought. A miserable La Niña winter will follow.
Image credit: Some folklore is warning of a cold La Niña winter. NOAA.
Other folklore is just based on the idea that you shouldn’t let your guard down. Lots of berries, nuts and flowers may be the sign of a lovely warm November. However, weatherwise, winter will probably be awful.
Now, let’s check out the 2022–2023 Winter Weather Forecast from The Old Farmer’s Almanac.
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I had a cat who lived to be 21. 3 times in her life, her fur went from typical short hair to thick as chinchilla. Soft, and lush. We live in the middle of Texas where we get a few freezes and rarely a dusting of snow. All 3 of the chinchilla fur years, we got full on ice and snow for days. And a non-typical cold winter. Mother Nature provided! (And gave a warning?)
I noticed the hummingbirds left suddenly.
I noticed the same thing< I'm in east Texas
Winters here in N. Alabama are normally mild compared to just about anywhere. I have been noticing the squirrels this year, they have literally eaten every acorn, hickory nut, pine cone, you name it, it's all gone. I better order some more propane, nature does not lie.
Same here in south Georgia
Folklore based on the "science" of "La Nina"? That is ludicrous, since the folklore you mentioned is centuries old and the "La Nina" garbage is decades old.
Note that “a more milder winter” is redundant. “Milder” means “more mild;” you don’t need both.
My story appeared in your column on March 15 and I am still waiting for my payment. I emailed you immediately after the column appeared to advise you of my new address.
I have received no response from you. I would appreciate a reply and a check for the money you owe me. It's been almost four months now!!!
I live in the Inland NW. This will be the third winter at my home. I was noticing today, my squirrels are pudgy. In fact, they're just plain fat. We had our first snow of the season this past Friday. I will gladly continue to feed my little friends through this winter. Especially since it's rumored to wetter & colder then normal.
One of the coldest winters I remember in the San Joaquin Valley of California was when I found caterpillar cacoons under my roof awnings in July.
It froze so hard that when you drove through a puddle of water it froze up right behind you.
Also as a 75 year old living here virtually all my life the late summers and falls feel different. When the trees waffle in their annual hibernation, sudden warm spells it is cold. Really cold. When you just suddenly see the leaves turning it is still very cold but not to the freezing, hard freezing level.
Rain can be felt in the air and sometimes people say they can smell it. Sudden storms and animals will pace, dogs bark, horses run in circles, cats sit and look at the skies, a lightening storm coming and birds can be seen walking around, not flying, until suddenly they just fly away in mass.
Strange place I live in.
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