Snow Lore

We had snow on October 31.  It snowed for about three minutes and melted immediately but it still counts as the first snowfall.  Mike's cousins wife, Lisa, told me that she believes in the myth that states whatever date the first snowfall occurs is how many days of snow to fall in the winter to follow.  So according to Lisa's theory, we will have 31.  So far, we are at 1 and counting. 

I went to the Internet to see if I could find out more about this folktale but I could not find any Internet mention of it at all.  However, I did find one that stated for every fog in August, there will be a snowfall the following winter.  I know we have had some foggy days in the last few months but I do not know how many or if any were in August.  Too bad.  As long as I am now officially counting snow days I could easily have compared the data to August fog days to prove or disprove this myth. 

However, I did find a few legends that I can still substantiate with scientific evidence.  Under snow lore in the farmers almanac it states, "See how high the hornets nest, 'twill tell how high the snow will rest."  As you readers know, we had a hornets next on our house this summer.  It was way about the front door on an attic window.  Mike says that is approximately 20 to 25 feet from the ground.  I will let you know if we get that much snow although you will probably read about it in the papers first as that would be very unusual for here. 

For those readers who live in the area and do not want much snow (or to be honest even cold) this winter, here is a fable from the farmers almanac that will give you hope.  It states that if the first snowfall lands on unfrozen ground, it will be a mild one.  Our October 31 snowfall was on unfrozen ground, so if they choose to believe this legend, they can just put away their snow boots now. 

Whatever kind of winter we are going to have, I will just take what comes.  In the meantime, I will  enjoy this gorgeous fall.