Indicators of a harsh winter to come????

[MissMillie]

The squirrels are starting to really pork out around here.

Do you know any old-fashioned ways (or even "wives-tales") on how to predict what the coming season will be like?

[LittleApple81]

1. It is going to be a harsh winter when

you see squirrels burying tomatoes!
Sorry, could not resist

[Catfish]

2. Fuzzy Caterpillars

and the size of the black ring is the only one I know. The ones here in WV have relatively small rings this year, that's supposed to indicate a short winter, I think.

[LynneSin]

6. This guy

They're so cute!!!

[Catfish]

9. Nice pic

that's the ones I've been seeing but they have the black in the middle this year.

[Padraig18]

3. Persimmon seeds!

The persimmon seeds have a spoon shape this year, which means lots of snow. (Yes, they're also delicious). :)

[larryepke]

4. Well, there are always...

wooly caterpillers crossing the roads. I haven't seen any yet, but that's my favorite "country" sign of a hard winter. (I'll ask the people coming to Chicago from Ohio, Michigan, Missouri and Wisconsin if they've seen any. We're having a BIG Thanksgiving this year.)

[HereSince1628]

5. Well, that depends on what the meaning of harsh is...

Knowing your bankruptcy will be processed soon would be a real old-fashioned way of predicting a really shitty upcoming season.

Or recieving a 60 day notice that your company is closing and moving to Mexico...

Or being told your source of Canadian-retailed drugs will no longer be available and your life preserving prescription will now exceed the combination of your monthly utility, grocery, and auto insurance bills...

Or having your spot under the overpass sealed in concrete...

All these could indicate a harsh winter...

on edit: but...the presence of giant Canada geese usually indicated that there is still open water in the area.

[LynneSin]

7. George Bush informing he's suspending all elections and taking over...

as dictator!

Can we get any harsher than that?

[Wickerman]

11. Isn't that a nuklee ur winter? n/t

[TXlib]

12. No, but it's a nuke yoo lar winter.

As * says it. :eyes:

[Catfish]

8. Yep

I think there's a good chance I'll lose my job before Christmas. I've never lost a job, never collected unemployment. If I do, I hope I can collect unemployment or it will be a harsh winter. I'm already worried about my natural gas heating bills even if I don't lose my job.

I meant this as a reply to HereSince 1628 but I messed up.

[prolesunited]

10. Not sure

But it's mid-November and 66 degrees in Chicago. :wtf:

[TXlib]

13. I forecast natural gas usage.

It's looking like a warm winter, at least for the first half.

[Zero Gravitas]

14. Good

I just bought my first house and it is heated by NG. Got my first bill the other day. Egads! :wow: I dread to think what it will be like later in the winter. And I have my thermostat turned down so low it was warmer OUTSIDE than in my house yeaterday!