If we want to know what the incoming weather is set to look like, we typically look toward the National Weather Service , a local meteorologist, or our favorite smartphone weather app. But we’ve only had access to accurate weather forecasts for a handful of decades. Before then, people relied on signs in nature to tell them what the next several days or weeks would look like. Mountain Roots explored the many different ways the people of Appalachia predicted incoming winter weather.
Insect Behavior
- Hornets/Yellowjackets: A bad winter is predicted if hornets or yellowjackets build nests closer to the ground or heavier than usual, rather than high in tree branches.
- Stink Bugs and Crickets: A harsh winter is indicated if stink bugs or crickets are trying to enter homes, especially through chimneys.
- Ants: High ant hills suggest a bad winter, as ants build them to stay above deep snows.
- Spiders An influx of spiders trying to get indoors signals a severe winter.
- Butterflies: Early migration of butterflies indicates an early winter, while butterflies gathering in bunches suggests winter is near.
- Woolly Worms:
- Many woolly worms crawling about predict a bad winter.
- A heavy coat on a woolly worm indicates a harsh winter.
- A wider black band on the worm suggests a heavier winter.
- All-black woolly worms signal a tough winter.
- Black on the front of the worm means bad weather is coming; black on the back means the worst is over.
- Brown ends with an orange middle on a woolly worm predicts a mild winter.
Plant Life
- Blackberry Blossoms: Heavy blooms indicate a bad winter.
- Carrots: Deeper-than-normal carrot growth suggests a heavy winter.
- Sweet Potatoes: Tougher skins on sweet potatoes signal a bad winter.
- Onions: More layers on onions indicate a severe winter.
- Corn: Thicker, tighter corn shucks and silk extending further over the ears predict a bad winter.
- Apples, Grapes, and Cockleburs: Early maturation of these suggests a rough winter.
- Trees: Green leaves late in the fall indicate a bad winter.
- Dogwood and Holly Berries: A heavy crop of these berries signals a tough winter.
- Acorns and Pine Cones: A heavy crop of acorns or pine cones predicts a bad winter.
- Tree Bark and Moss: Thicker bark on the north side of trees or heavy moss growth indicates a severe winter.
Animals
- Squirrels:
- Early nut gathering (mid to late September) suggests a bad winter.
- Bushier tails or nests built low in trees indicate a harsh winter.
- Muskrats: Larger muskrat houses predict a bad winter.
- Beavers: More logs in beaver lodges or more sticks on the north side of dams suggest a cold winter.
- Deer, Horses, Sheep, Cows, Dogs: Thicker fur or an extra fuzzy undercoat on these animals indicates a bad winter.
Fire and Smoke
- Outdoor Fire: Popping fire suggests snow within three days (though this may be due to wet wood).
- Chimney Smoke:
- Smoke flowing down or settling on the ground predicts snow within 26 days.
- Smoke rising on a cloudy day indicates a chance of snow that day.
- Fireplace Sounds: A sound like boots swishing through dry snow during a snowfall predicts deep snow.
Weather Patterns
- Frost and Rain: Two frosts and lots of rain mean cold weather is near.
- Late Frost: A late frost signals a bad winter.
- August Frosts or Fogs: Each frost or fog in August predicts a snowy day in winter.
- June/July Fogs: Three or more severe fogs in June or July indicate early snow.
- Thunderstorms: Many rolling thunderstorms in late fall suggest a bad winter.
- Summer Weather: A long, hot summer predicts a colder winter.
- Post-Christmas Weather: The weather during the 12 days after Christmas indicates the weather for each month of the coming year.
Moon and Snow
- Moon Age: The number of days old the moon is during the first snow predicts the number of snows that winter.
- Snow Persistence: If the first snow stays on the ground for three days, another snow will follow.
- Early Frost: Frost before November 23rd may indicate a bad winter (though this may vary by location).
