According to ancient folklore, there are crucial indicators within our surroundings which can help to forecast just how harsh a winter will be.
Traditional weather wisdom and scientific observation suggest that examining natural environmental signs can help predict the climate in the coming months. From how squirrels build their dwellings to the development of trees and vegetation, there are obvious signals we may have been overlooking entirely.
One particular legend states that if you notice abundant berries, nuts, and blossoms flourishing on trees, it signals a pleasant and mild November. Nevertheless, it also indicates that winter may prove more testing regarding weather patterns.
Additional warnings of a harsh winter concerning freezing conditions include watching the birds and the bees. Observe how birds migrate earlier and bees typically construct their hives higher up in the tree canopy.
This is reflected in an ancient folklore proverb: “See how high the hornets’ nest; ’twill tell how high the snow will rest.” Yet they aren’t the sole creatures that offer revealing clues about the approaching weather, Almanac reports.
Caterpillars also serve as indicators of a bitter and bleak winter. When you notice fuzzy-looking worms, you should examine bands of brown and rust on them – this reveals that the winter before you will be harsh.
Another traditional gardening saying that connects to a harsh and snowy winter, which has featured in folklore stories for generations, suggests that thicker onion skins serve as a definitive indicator. It says: “Onion’s skin very thin, mild winter coming in; onion’s skin thick and tough, coming winter cold and rough.”
Additional indicators frequently discussed as warnings for a severe winter include thick apple skins, unusually dense corn husks and flowers continuing to bloom well into autumn. Not to mention that when leaves fall early, it’s thought to signal a gentle autumn and winter, whilst late leaf drop suggests a frigid and sluggish conclusion to the year.
Scientific evidence supports some of these forecasts, grounded in natural climate patterns that correlate with ocean temperatures. The first phenomenon is known as La Niña, where meteorological conditions typically bring dry summers and freezing winters.
This suggests that if birds migrate early or leaves drop rapidly and onions and apples develop tough exteriors, these could indicate an approaching La Niña drought.
Consequently, a bleak La Niña winter is anticipated to follow.
Additionally, there’s the El Niño climate pattern, which generally produces wetter than normal weather from Southern California in the U.S. through to the Gulf Coast. Alongside this comes drier-than-typical conditions across the Pacific Northwest of the U.S..