I admit I get sidetracked quite easily these days. This post is a prime example. I was all set to continue writing about the Quilt Odyssey at Hershey when I came across something in one of the news feeds on Frontier’s home page. I knew I should not have clicked on it, but I did. I knew it wouldn’t make me happy; it didn’t.
So, what got my attention? The Farmer’s Almanac released their prediction for the winter of 2019 – 2020. They use multiple “F” words to describe the winter – “freezing, frigid, and frosty”. I can handle freezing and frigid. I can stay home. I can dress in layers. I don’t like “frosty”.
They are saying we are in for another “wild ride” with “hefty snowfalls”. Yikes! This is true of the eastern part of the country, they say. The western part can expect a “milder winter with near-normal temperatures and precipitation”. Maybe I need to find a winter home somewhere out west.
Also, according to the almanac, come late January we can expect a visit from our old friend, polar vortex. Like I really want this kind of company come January.
This got me thinking, maybe I should go outside and start looking for sign of winter to prove the almanac wrong. In case you would like to do some weather sleuthing on your own here are 20 signs that a rough winter is coming, according to folklore:
1. Thicker-Than-Normal Corn Husks.
2. Woodpeckers Sharing a Tree.
3. The Early Arrival of the Snowy owl.
4. The Early Departure of Geese and Ducks.
5. The Early Migration of the Monarch butterfly.
6. Thick Hair on the Nape of a Cow’s Neck.
7. Heavy and Numerous Fogs During August.
8. Raccoons With Thick Tails and Bright Bands.
9. Mice Chewing Furiously To Get Into Your Home.
10. The Early Arrival of Crickets on the Hearth.
11. Spiders Spinning Larger-Than-Usual Webs and Entering the House in Great Numbers.
12. Pigs Gathering Sticks.
13. Ants Marching in a Line Rather Than Meandering.
14. Early Seclusion of Bees Within the Hive.
15. Unusual Abundance of Acorns.
16. Muskrats Burrowing Holes High on the River Bank.
17. “See how high the hornet’s nest, ‘twill tell how high the snow will rest.”
18. The Size of the Orange Band on the Woollybear (or Woollyworm) Caterpillar.
19. Squirrels Gathering Nuts Early to Fortify Against a Hard Winter.
20. Frequent Halos or Rings Around the Sun or Moon Forecasts Numerous Snowfalls.
arjeha 
We saw many, many geese migrating the first day of school yesterday. I was teasing the kids that they knew summer was over, but now I know…it must mean a freezing, snowy winter!
I don’t know, Erika. I can see me doing a lot of hibernating this winter.
Here in the midwest there are many signs of turning weather. The acorns are dropping, the squirrels are quickly gathering seeds – digging up the yard, our weather has also been cooler that normal for an August. (This is day two wearing a sweatshirt) I am afraid we are in for a heavy winter as well. Maybe I should join you out west! 🙂
I’m thinking maybe Fiji?
Frosty is scary – that may mean a lot more elearning days this winter!
As much as I like snow as a kid now I could do without it.
We had a lot of cold days last year that kept us out of school. I love the snow but it causes issues!
I love the list. City-slickers like me won’t have the chance to test some of the predictors, but I might be able to check in on a few of them.
I have already seen a wollybear and it had a wide orange stripe.
What a great list! Only one I have ever heard was about seeing lots more acorns than normal. Who is looking at the hair on a cow’s neck? Wild! Thanks for sharing.
I guess someone with nothing better to do would go around checking a cow’s neck. I admit I do check out the band on the woollybears each year.
Yikes! I’ve seen a few of those signs happening! I am Not up for freezing, frigid, or frosty… they add up to lots of “weather” days and more days to make up when the weather is warm.
Snow days – kids love them teachers are them as days to be made up.
I hope they are wrong!!
I do too.