Got any winter forecast wives tales?

   / Got any winter forecast wives tales? #1  

sixdogs

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Does anyone have any weather forecasting secrets that might clue us in on temps, snowfall and overall winter severity? Here's a list of winter forecasting wives tales I found. Surely we can add to these.

 
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   / Got any winter forecast wives tales? #2  
I cut open a few of my persimmon tree seeds this fall and they showed spoons.
 
   / Got any winter forecast wives tales?
  • Thread Starter
#3  
   / Got any winter forecast wives tales? #4  
Do anyone have any weather forecasting secrets that might clue us in on temps, snowfall and overall winter severity? Here's a list of winter forecasting wives tales I found. Surely we can add to these.

That's the problem with folks predicting future weather patterns based on plant/animal characteristics that were in all likelihood caused by PAST weather.

On that note, I'm not seeing as many wooly bears this year as normal. I was picking strawberries two nights ago, November 19 in northern Indiana. And we and our friends have all had Lilacs bloom in October and November this year. Snap dragons are in full bloom. Giant reed grass hit 22' this year. Seed heads are over 2'. (all that indicates drought over the summer, but hey, we can start rumors) :)

(click to enlarge)

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   / Got any winter forecast wives tales?
  • Thread Starter
#5  
That's the problem with folks predicting future weather patterns based on plant/animal characteristics that were in all likelihood caused by PAST weather.

On that note, I'm not seeing as many wooly bears this year as normal. I was picking strawberries two nights ago, November 19 in northern Indiana. And we and our friends have all had Lilacs bloom in October and November this year. Snap dragons are in full bloom. Giant reed grass hit 22' this year. Seed heads are over 2'. (all that indicates drought over the summer, but hey, we can start rumors) :)

(click to enlarge)

View attachment 1870511 View attachment 1870529 View attachment 1870530 View attachment 1870531 View attachment 1870532
I've seen things bloom last like that and can't recall any correlation to winter severity. I've never seen strawberries in the fall or giant grass as tall as yours.

This year around here we've had a serious drought and oak leaves fell in October rather than December. Everything hurried up so plants could retain moisture.
 
   / Got any winter forecast wives tales? #6  
I've seen things bloom last like that and can't recall any correlation to winter severity. I've never seen strawberries in the fall or giant grass as tall as yours.

This year around here we've had a serious drought and oak leaves fell in October rather than December. Everything hurried up so plants could retain moisture.
That reminds me... 90% of our oak leaves are down now. They usually last well into the new year, if not spring.
 
   / Got any winter forecast wives tales? #7  
I'll just go with the National Weather service. Like about 95 to 100% of the time any severe weather goes around me here. Usually to the south. Example - this "climate bomb" that the PNW is experiencing. If you look at their weather map - where I live is a large "hole" in their map.

I have wind - 0 to 5 mph. Snow - zero. Rain - 0.16 inches total All in the last 48 hours.
 
   / Got any winter forecast wives tales? #9  
I hear people say “there’s more acorns this years, gonna be a bad one”
 
   / Got any winter forecast wives tales? #10  
I hear people say “there’s more acorns this years, gonna be a bad one”

Last couple of years our big oak tree dumped acorns, mild winters. This year not many, so we’ll see.

Here’s one:

The more black on a woolly worm the more severe the winter.

Same thing though, I saw some all black ones the last few years, again mild winters. Saw an all black one 2 days ago when I was blowing leaves.
 

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