Snow = spring question

There’s an old farmer’s saying that goes something like “You know winter’s over when the snow sticks to the ----- side of the trees.”

North, south, east or west.

Can’t remember which one. Anyone else heard this? Maybe I should just go find an old farmer and ask.

out?

Well, spring snows do tend to be wetter and stickier.

As a matter of fact, it’s snowing here right now!

Don’t look at me, I’m only thirty.

I’m taking a guess and saying south.

Usually it snows from the west or north and occasionally the east in the case of a nor’easter. A wet snow would most likely come from the south with warm weather moving up from the gulf through the Appalachins. The signs of spring around here is when the jet stream is bringing warm air from the south.

From The American Gardener November/December 1998 issue - Folk Predictions

“Other lore is harder to link to scientific processes, including the old belief that if the first snow sticks to the trees there will be a bountiful harvest.”

Hardly what you’re looking for but the closest I could find.

The concencus here is south also. No proof for you though, unless you count the word of an old farmers son (my hubby). You can see the buds on the trees starting to swell…that’s a sure sign of spring!

Most of our weather fronts (Canada’s revenge!) blow in from west/north west. But as far as snow sticking…it snowed here today–just in time for the St. Pat’s parade–and it’s sticking on every exposed surface. Especially my toes and nose.

Wasn’t this bit of lore connected to moss somehow? Hey, I flunked the physical for Boy Scouts.

Veb

In my experience, the snow usually sticks to the side of the tree opposite from the wind direction. So if the wind is blowing from the south, the snow would stick on the north side.

Just wanted you to know I got a good laugh out of that. :slight_smile:
Zette


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