Since the beginning of humanity, folks have used their own tried and true methods of predicting the seasons. Let us look at some of the ways of folklore winter predictions.

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Folklore Winter Predictions

I hope you enjoy the article. Please feel free to leave comments, for I love feedback. Thank you.

That was a seriously interesting article. I have been wondering what this winter would bring. Last winter was shorter than usual, and a long spring. A really nice change for here in South Dakota. However, this was followed by a severe drought. The last few years were severe flood years. I do mean severe. We have had many very hot days this summer. I think I'll head to the park on the little lake and check out the woolly bears on the island ) Thanks for this wonderful, interesting, and fun article!

Well, thank you, Diana. I am so glad you enjoyed it. When I was little, I often followed my Dad around the farm and he would tell me things like how to know what the coming winter would be like.

I have been watching the squirrels around here to see if their tails are getting bushier than usual -- nope, their tails are skinny. So, I think we will have a mild winter. Also, the leaves are beginning to fall already.

We do not have woolley bears around here. I wonder what your woolley bears will tell you. It is fun to learn what nature and the animals are telling us.

Great article, Phyllis. I really enjoyed all the examples you mentioned. I will have to keep my eyes open for the woolly bears!

Thanks, Debbie. I have so much fun writing articles like this. I have never seen a woolly bear in my life, not in person anyway, just pictures.

We have woolly bears here on the east coast. They are cute and gentle little things.

I made one, a very large one, once to use as a draft keeper at my front door. I got a lot of compliments on it and it sure kept the draft out.

That sounds really cute, Phyllis.

Does anyone know of other signs to look for that can tell you what kind of winter is ahead for your area?

We have been out woolly bear hunting to photograph for the forum. Evidently it is too early. We didn't find a single woolly bear! It isn't quite fall and is still quite warm here so I will try every week until I find them. We saw a lot last year so I know they are around somewhere. I had no idea they over wintered as a caterpillar and cocooned in the spring.