WATERTOWN, New York (WWNY) – What kind of winter is in store for us? The betting windows are open.
Sure, you could consult the National Weather Service, or the weathercasters on 7 News.
But that’s all science-y. You can also study how fat the squirrels are. Or the color of the leaves. Or the acorn supply.
“Usually when it’s a really bad winter I’ve seen spiders’ webs, really thick webs around starting in the summer. This summer I haven’t seen any.” An observation from one north country resident.
Others look to the ground, to the woolly bear caterpillar. The theory here: the blacker the bug, the harsher the winter. The rumor stems from a 1948 study in which 15 of the critters were tested. That’s a very small sample size for a scientific experiment.
“That was really unsound science. That is really what this theory is based on,” said Sue Gwise from Cornell Cooperative Extension of Jefferson County.
Others look at the weather to tell us the weather.
“With Florida down south being so hot, all of the rainstorms and everything going on. I think it’s about time and we’re going to be hit with a pretty heavy snowfall,” said Willie Sanchez.
Still others see the weather as cyclical.
“Last winter was pretty harsh in the beginning and then it was milder. I think it’s going to be milder and then harsh,” said Pat Williams.
One more: thicker corn husks. Do they mean a bad winter is coming?
Sue Gwise with Cornell Cooperative Extension says probably not. It’s likely nature’s way of telling you what the weather has been, not what it’s going to be.
“They aren’t a crystal ball into the future but they hearken back to the growing conditions, mainly the weather of the previous season,” she said.
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