Harsh Snowy Winter Ahead for New York State? This Guy Can Tell Us

Will it be a harsh, cold, snowy Winter in New York State? That Wooly Worm in your yard might have the answer. All you have to do is look at it's colors.

You know what a Wooly Worm is right? You might call them Wooly Bear Caterpillar or, as I learned from Hamilton College, Pyrrharctia isabella. These little weather forecasters typically show up in large numbers in New York State starting in October and based on what I saw, they are here.  

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According to the Almanac, the Wooly Worm's ability to predict Winter weather is all in how the creature looks. To me, they always look the same with their black head and tail bookending their rust colored mid section. The prediction comes in how much black or how much rust is on this years caterpillar.

Take a look at this picture. What do you see? If their rusty section is wide, then it will be a mild winter. The more black there is, the more severe the winter. What does this one tell us?

This is a tough call but I would predict, based on this specimen, that we are looking at a milder Winter here in New York State. I see a fairly wide rust band to support the mild prediction. What do you see?

Take time to smell the roses. Isn't that what they say? If you look close enough, you might even see into the future.