Thursday, November 14, 2013

Winter Snow Predictions from Jim: Wasp Nests and Wooly Bears


At a certain age, we come to realize that some predictions are always true, some predictions are sometimes true and some predictions are never true. There are two and only two snow forecast predictions that can be relied on with certainty.   

The first has to do with the height of the wasp nest. If the wasps build a nest high up in the tree, it indicates there will be substantial snowfall.  Please look carefully at the photo of the wasp nest near Helen’s and my log house. It is approximately 12 feet above the ground.

A second reliable and always accurate predictor of coming winter weather are the markings on the wooly bear caterpillar. The wooly bear is a fuzzy caterpillar about an inch in length. He is mostly dark colored with a light band on his center.  If the middle band is wide, a mild winter is predicted. This fall, I’ve noted that the center band of the wooly bear is narrow, which forecasts a snowy winter.

I believe this says it all.

This information is confirmed by two long time reputable scientific publications: The Farmer’s Almanac and The Old Farmer’s Almanac.

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