20 Signs in Nature Indicating a Harsh Winter

Have you heard of these earthly indicators to tell if we are in for a harsher-than-normal winter? Sometimes you have to put away all the modern technology and almanacs to get the real answers. Many folks will say you simply have to watch and listen to nature to get an accurate look at what's to come. Have you seen any of these indicating a potentially harsh winter ahead?

• Photo by Josie Weiss on Unsplash

  1

  Thicker than normal corn husks

• Photo by Hans Veth on Unsplash

  2

  Woodpeckers sharing a tree

• Photo by Todd Steitle on Unsplash

  3

  Early arrival of the Snowy owl

• Photo by chris robert on Unsplash

  4

  Early departure of geese and ducks

• Photo by Joshua J. Cotten on Unsplash

  5

  Early migration of the Monarch butterfly

• Photo by Stephen Wheeler on Unsplash

  6

  Thick hair on the nape of the cow’s neck

• Photo by Juho Luomala on Unsplash

  7

  Heavy and numerous fogs during August

• Photo by Jack Bulmer on Unsplash

  8

  Raccoons with thick tails and bright bands

• Photo by Mert Guller on Unsplash

  9

  Mice eating ravenously into the home

• Photo by Richie Bettencourt on Unsplash

  10

  Early arrival of crickets on the hearth

• Photo by Mohamed Marey on Unsplash

  11

  Spiders spinning larger than usual webs in house

• Photo by Pascal Debrunner on Unsplash

  12

  Pigs gathering sticks

• Photo by Yanuka Deneth on Unsplash

  13

  Insects marching a line rather than meandering

• Photo by Michael Held on Unsplash

  14

  Early seclusion of bees within the hive

• Photo by Nick Fewings on Unsplash

  15

  Unusual abundance of acorns

• Photo by Daniil Komov on Unsplash

  16

  Muskrats burrowing holes high on the river bank

• Photo by Rust & Leaf on Unsplash

  17

  “See how high the hornet’s nest, ‘twill tell how high the snow will rest”

• Photo by Art Litvinau on Unsplash

  18

  Narrow orange band in the middle of the Woollybear caterpillar warns of heavy snow

• 19

  The squirrel gathers nuts early to fortify against a hard winter

• Photo by Nick Fewings on Unsplash

  20

  Frequent halos or rings around sun or moon

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Gallery Credit: Dave Roberts

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