Signs that this is going to be a hard winter

I heard a report a few weeks ago stating that the Farmers Almanac claims that this is going to be harsh winter in our area. I'm not one for superstitions nor do believe in fairy tales, so I have never given the FA much validity. Quite frankly, every time I've picked one up in my local Home Depot, I could not make heads or tails of it while sifting through page after page of advertisements.

Those who can decipher the news between the ads say that the east coast, midway and up will have frigid temps along with with lots of that white fluffy stuff. Our area usually sees its "winter" as mid January to late February. Most of our snow happens during mid February to early March. Last year we had an unusual number of snowfalls, all within a short time span.

What this brings me to is that I have witnessed some things in nature over the last few weeks that have me wondering if those prognosticators over at the Farmers Almanac might have a winner on their hands. You see, while they have a good record, according to records, they have been accurate about 80% of the time, there's that other 20% staring you in the face. Last year they predicted we would have the colder than normal weather with a mixed bag of precipitation. Actually, we had quite a mild winter, with only a handful of days below freezing.

We have a few Sweetgum trees on our property. If it wasn't for their incredible fall foliage color, I would have every one of them cut down and replaced with something more tolerable. These trees produce their fruit for seed distribution, in the form of a hard spiky ball. I'm sure you've all seen one. For those who haven't, imagine a ping pong ball, painted brown and spikes protruding from the entire surface. They don't break down easily, and the trees produce these in copious amounts. So much so, that late in the winter season, I have to rake the entire back yard, starting at the house and continuing to the back of my lot. This takes close to an entire day, as these fruit can not be picked up with much success with a mulching mower, nor can they be mulched very well at all. They shoot out from the mower with deadly speed, bouncing off of the house and tree trunks, and I find myself ducking here and there while mulching the leaves.

Sweetgum leaves and fruit

closeup of spiky fruit

The squirrels have been eating these like they were some sort of delicacy. Most years, they eat a few, no big deal. But this year I have noticed huge piles of discards under the trees. Good for me! Maybe I won't have to rake this year! But wait! What else can this mean?  So, without any scientific data or advanced degree in animal behavior, I have concluded the following; It's gonna be frickin' cold this winter! Why else would they be eating something they normally only nibble here and there? They are putting on as many "ounces" as possible because they know. They know that it will be a long, hard, cold winter. Uh...I've got to go to the store.

March 24, 2013... a late snow for us

The other occurrence that made me think that this was gonna be a doozie, was that one of my Witch Hazels, which normally blooms in late February, bloomed in Early November (see November 12 post). I really have no other explanation.

Sweetgum leaf

Great color from the Sweetgum