In the dark ages (before the internet), the old timers would use nature’s calendar to know when to plant and harvest. Since they had no such luxury as a seven day forecast, they took cues from their surroundings to predict the weather.  If the cows laid down in the field during the day, it meant rain was coming.  A ring around the moon during the winter months, prognosticated a snow storm.

Onion snow is a regional expression and not many people outside my neck of the woods have ever heard of the term.  It’s usually the last snow of the season and occurs around the time of onion planting – late March to early April.

It’s a light snow that covers the ground and melts quickly throughout the day. Onion snow is considered a harbinger of spring.

It’s a signal that warmer days are in the forecast and it’s time to prepare for planting.

Next time you need to know a more accurate way to predict the weather, ask a farmer…

• A severe storm is approaching if you see the backsides of the leaves on the trees.
• An overabundance of blossoms on the wild apple trees indicates a very harsh winter.
• A reddish sunset means dry weather the following day.
• The wider the brown band on the woolly bear caterpillar, the milder the winter.
• Dandelions will close their blossoms when rain is coming.
• Smoke that rises straight up indicates good weather.