Hi Iksplorers!
Fall is here, and winter is on the horizon, so we're excited to share some gems of weather folklore with your family to help you make predictions about the winter ahead. Nature is full of hidden signs and age-old wisdom, and with a little know-how, you and your mini iksplorers can unlock its mysteries together! As the seasons change, nature responds in fascinating ways, offering clues about what the upcoming winter may bring. From the way onions grow to the intricate patterns of spider webs, the natural world has a rhythm and purpose that we can all learn from.
In this post, we’re sharing five fun, folklore-inspired ways to predict winter weather that we learned from Farmers’ Almanac. These insights will not only deepen your connection with the outdoors, but also spark curiosity and wonder in your little ones as they discover the amazing design of nature.
Let’s dive into these magical, nature-based weather predictions!
Based on the below information, the region pictured will have a mild winter because there is more brown coloring than black.
Wooly Bear Caterpillar
Have you come across a woolly bear caterpillar recently? These cute, fuzzy creatures are most active in the fall as they prepare for winter by seeking food and shelter. What makes them especially fascinating is the weather folklore that suggests their coloring can predict winter conditions. How cool is that?! For example, the more black on the caterpillar, the harsher the winter is expected to be, while more brown coloring indicates a milder winter.
The next time you and your kids are outside this fall, keep an eye out for the woolly bear caterpillar and make your own winter weather predictions based on its black and brown bands!
Image from Just In Weather
Squirrels
Whether you’re relaxing in your backyard or hiking a mountain, watching squirrels can be a fun way to predict how cold winter might be. The higher squirrels build their nests in the trees, the colder the winter will be. If their nests are lower, you can expect a milder winter. (The same is said for birds’ nests and bee hives.)
In addition, the speed at which squirrels gather acorns can also offer clues. The faster they gather, the harsher the winter may be, as they store up extra food to stay cozy and holed up during frigid temperatures and snowstorms. As the saying goes, “Squirrels gathering nuts in a flurry will cause snow to gather in a hurry.” Even the appearance of a squirrel's tail can give you insight—if their tails look especially bushy, it could mean they need the extra fluff to stay warm.
Spider Webs
Have you ever been struck silent by the beauty of a spider web? We have! The intricate patterns and hard work that go into creating each web are truly breathtaking. And did you know the size of a spider’s web could be another sign of the upcoming winter weather? If a spider spins a larger web, it may indicate colder temperatures ahead, as the spider tries to catch more prey to prepare for the chill. A larger web can also provide better protection for the spider during cold days. Isn’t that amazing? We’ll never look at a spider web the same way again!
Onions, Apples, and Corn
It’s not just animals and insects that prepare for winter—certain fruits and vegetables do, too! The skins of some plants can change depending on how cold the coming temperatures will be. While you’re digging in your garden or picking up produce at the farmers market, pay attention to any subtle changes in your corn, onions, or apples. For instance, if the corn husk, onion skin, or apple skin is thicker than usual, it could be a sign that a cold winter is on the way. This idea that plants protect themselves from the cold is rooted in both close observation of nature and folklore wisdom.
Flowers
If flowers bloom later than usual in the fall, it could be a sign that the plants sense colder weather approaching and see this as their last chance to spread seeds and reproduce. This often happens during warmer fall days just before much colder temperatures set in. Farmers and nature observers have long noted patterns like this that correlate with weather changes. The idea that late-blooming flowers can predict a cold winter is part of traditional ecological knowledge, where people have relied on natural signs to forecast the weather.
While these observations are captivating, they aren’t foolproof predictions. Weather is incredibly complex, and many factors influence the behavior of plants and animals. Like much folk wisdom, it’s more about appreciating patterns in nature than relying on scientific certainty. Still, this knowledge adds depth and meaning to the natural world—and gives us something special to share with our children.
In our fast-paced world, weather folklore also serves as a reminder to slow down, notice the small details, and engage in mindful observation—something kids do naturally but adults often forget. So, take this as your sign to pause, make predictions based on what you observe, and connect with the beauty that sparks your child’s sense of wonder.