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Does This Really Mean a Cold Winter?

By
Real Estate Agent with RLAH@properties AB95346

There is an old wives tale that there are two sure-fire ways to predict how cold it will get during next winter.  

The first is the thickness of the local squirrels' tails.  Now, while the local squirrels have really thick tails this year, I couldn't find one who would sit still to post for a photo.  

But I really lucked out on the second sign.  These red berries are said to be a great predictor - the thicker the berries are on the branches, the colder it will be.  We are early in the berry season - I mean it just turned autumn!  Already, the branches are getting thick with their inedible red orange fruit.  

What I'm not clear on is whether we're talking just temperature - or does snowfall figure in here somehow! Whichever way it goes, these are going to look gorgeous on my fireplace mantel around Christmas time.

Patricia Kennedy
RLAH@properties - Washington, DC
Home in the Capital

Tammie, I thougth that squirrels built their nests in trees. 

Grant, that means working really hard during the fall market!

And William,  hmmmm.  Woolly bear caterpillar?  I need to check that one out!

Sep 30, 2015 01:36 PM
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

Patricia,  the squirrels tails in my area are very thin.  If what is said is true .. what's in store for CA this winter is not looking good.

Those berries on the other hand ... beautiful.

Sep 30, 2015 01:43 PM
Patricia Kennedy
RLAH@properties - Washington, DC
Home in the Capital

Kathleen, doesn't that mean you'll be relatively warm?  That's not a bad thing as long as you get some rain.

Sep 30, 2015 01:47 PM
Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

Wow I had no idea Pat, very interesting...all I can tell you we would love a break from the heat and humidity....not used to it....Endre

Sep 30, 2015 02:14 PM
Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP
DFW FINE PROPERTIES - Flower Mound, TX
Selling Homes Changing Lives

Nature has a way of predicting the weather. Those berries are beautiful! I love how the plant pops with color! I also enjoy paying attention to the squirrels in Autumn too.  I hope you're spared a harsh winter. But whatever the weather, I know you'll make the best of everything because you are the type of woman who meets all kinds of challenges and you do it with a smile.  

Sep 30, 2015 02:17 PM
Kevin J. May
Florida Supreme Realty - Hobe Sound, FL
Serving the Treasure & Paradise Coasts of Florida

We were laughing about our expected cold front for this weekend. The temps will be in the low 80's, brrrrrr!  

Sep 30, 2015 04:22 PM
Jay Markanich
Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC - Bristow, VA
Home Inspector - servicing all Northern Virginia

How come there are no young wives tales?

And winter is supposed to be cold.

And summer is supposed to be hot.

And 10" of rain is a bunch!

Sep 30, 2015 04:52 PM
Joe Petrowsky
Mortgage Consultant, Right Trac Financial Group, Inc. NMLS # 2709 - Manchester, CT
Your Mortgage Consultant for Life

Good morning Pat. Love all the predictions, no human will decide any of it. No matter what comes, we'll take it on.

Sep 30, 2015 07:47 PM
Debbie Gartner
The Flooring Girl - White Plains, NY
The Flooring Girl & Blog Stylist -Dynamo Marketers

I hope this winter isn't so bad.  I can't take 3 bad ones in a row.

Sep 30, 2015 08:01 PM
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Patricia, severe cold or heavy snow not a problem here in Southwest Florida. Enjoy your day!

Sep 30, 2015 09:06 PM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

Those are gorgeous berries!!!


I'm with Debbie. I don't want a crappy winter, although I did just order a 4-wheel drive SUV so I won't be as stuck as I was the last few winters. I was tired of not being able to get up my weeny driveway and I'd have to stop at the bottom, trudge up the hill and get a shovel, shovel everything out of the way before I could get up. Argh. I am not looking forward to that!

Sep 30, 2015 09:31 PM
Alan Gross
PrimeLending, A PlainsCapital Company, Equal Housing Lender - Bethesda, MD
Loan Consultant

Who knows what the winter will bring but I know we can't do anything about it. I'm going to enjoy the Fall first before thinking about the Winter.

Sep 30, 2015 10:50 PM
Kristin Johnston - REALTOR®
RE/MAX Platinum - Waukesha, WI
Giving Back With Each Home Sold!

I havent heard either of those 2, but it is very chilly here...turned on the heat yesterday!

Sep 30, 2015 11:30 PM
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Patricia,

We could always tell by the thickness of the fur on our menagerie.  Our cats stopped shedding and grew thicker coats.  A

Oct 01, 2015 01:53 AM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

The arrival of Pyracantha berries is usually a sure sign that autumn is upon us, and winter is near.  They seem a tad early this year!

Oct 01, 2015 07:03 AM
Will Nesbitt
Nesbitt Realty at Condo Alexandria - Alexandria, VA
Nesbitt Realty is a family-run brokerage.

In need of Washington, D.C. Real Estate? Look no further, begin to call (202) 364-1700 to speak with Agent Patricia Kennedy with Evers & Company.

Oct 02, 2015 06:31 AM
Rebecca Gaujot, Realtor®
Lewisburg, WV
Lewisburg WV, the go to agent for all real estate

I love how the red berries against the green leaves just pop....just beautiful. I keep hearing we will have a bad winter, but haven't seen any squirrels or berries to confirm this :)

Oct 02, 2015 07:06 AM
Robert Vegas Bob Swetz
Las Vegas, NV

Hello Pat ... love your post and photo, and your information could be true 

In Alaska there are wild flowers called Fire-weed, and when these flowers finally bloom at the very top of the flower/plant this means approx 2 weeks left until winter temps arrive 

I will be coming back in several days to your post for a feature to one of my groups ...

Oct 02, 2015 12:57 PM
Robert Vegas Bob Swetz
Las Vegas, NV
Oct 05, 2015 12:20 PM
Lise Howe
Keller Williams Capital Properties - Washington, DC
Assoc. Broker in DC, MD, VA and attorney in DC

Ha! Patricia Kennedy - so much for the squirrels, berries and woolly caterpillars! I am still waiting for cold weather. 

Dec 26, 2015 12:12 PM