A time honored tradition for many, predicting the coming winter’s forecast using woolly worms or persimmon seeds has been around for years.

The woolly worm is thought to predict the harshness of the coming winter based on the thickness of the insect’s middle band. Black bands on both ends of the woolly worm are connected by a reddish-brown middle band.

According to tradition, if the reddish-brown band is narrow, it means a harsh winter is coming. On the other hand, if a thick middle band is present, a mild winter is in store.

 

Upon closer examination of the woolly worm, it is noted that woolly worms have 13 segments which coincides with winter lasting roughly 13 weeks long. Each black band is thought to represent a week of bad winter weather.

Woolly worms are known scientifically as Pyrrhactia Isabella, and they are the larval form of the Isabella tiger moth. They have many other nicknames such as wooly bears, black-ended bears and banded woolly bears.

While there is no scientific evidence to prove that woolly worms can predict the winter forecast, it is still a fun, timeless tradition for many.

Persimmon seeds are also a well-known way to predict the oncoming winter weather. To predict this winter’s weather using persimmon seeds find persimmons grown in your area. Using locally grown persimmons are supposed to be more accurate for predicting that area’s winter.

The persimmon seeds will take on one of three familiar shapes: a fork, a knife or a spoon. A fork-shaped seed predicts a mild winter, while a knife forecasts a cold, icy winter. The spoon-shaped seed foretells an extremely snowy winter.

Kevin Covey, the Director of Service and Parts at Equipment Technologies, predicted this year’s winter based on 9 persimmon seeds he gathered from his own persimmon tree.

“Each persimmon normally has two or three seeds,” Covey said. “We found eight spoons and one knife.”

Here at Equipment Technologies, we are predicting a snowy winter based on persimmon seeds, and our woolly worms are forecasting a harsh winter.

Depending on the area you live in, there may be other traditions of predicting the winter weather.

Other ways to predict the coming winter include the Farmer’s Almanac and the National Weather Service. The Farmer’s Almanac is predicting colder than usual temperatures and more snow east of the Rockies and warmer, milder weather west of the Rockies.

On the other hand, the National Weather Service is predicting a generally milder winter based on El Nino and La Nina.