Community Corner

Will We Have a Harsh Winter? Ask a Woolly Bear Caterpillar

It's almost time to look for nature's clues of whether winter will be harsh or mild.


Summer is waning and forecasters are gearing up to analyze computer models and assess what we might be in for this winter. 
But you can look to nature for some hints, according to a blog post by the Eastern Pennsylvania Weather Authority.
The wooly bear caterpillar, spiders, squirrels, geese and also corn husks are all potential prognosticators in popular folklore traditions. 
The caterpillar, for instance, has a brown band in the middle of its body. A wide brown band signals a mild winter, according to the Old Farmer's Almanac.
The Almanac predicts winter in the Atlantic corridor, which includes eastern Pennsylvania, will be colder and drier than normal although we could get more snowfall than usual in much of the region.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here