I recently read at Almanac.com about how to predict the weather watching animals. Since winter seems to be coming sooner than later, I though you might enjoy some of these predictions.

CAN COWS FORECAST WEATHER?

Perhaps the greatest amount of weather folklore surrounds cows. Certainly, their bodies are affected by changes in air pressure. This is also true of sheep, cats, and us.

• If a cow stands with its tail to the west, the weather is said to be fair.
• If a cow grazes with its tail to the east, the weather is likely to turn sour.

There is some truth here. Animals graze with their tail toward the wind so that if a predator sneaks up behind them, the wind will help catch the scent of the predator and prevent an attack. The cow’s prediction might be wrong during a hurricane, however.

OBSERVING ANIMALS TO PREDICT RAIN

• Expect rain when dogs eat grass, cats purr and wash, sheep turn into the wind, oxen sniff the air, and swine are restless.
• If the bull leads the cows to pasture, expect rain; if the cows precede the bull, the weather will be uncertain.
• When cats sneeze, it is a sign of rain.
• When cattle lie down in the pasture, it indicates early rain.
• When horses and cattle stretch out their necks and sniff the air, it will rain.

Woolly bear caterpillars are famous for their winter predictions. 

CAN ANIMALS PREDICT WINTER WEATHER?

• Woolly bear caterpillars are said to be winter weather predictors: The more brown they have on their bodies, the milder winter will be. Read more about woolly bears!
• If the mole digs its hole 2½ feet deep, expect severe weather; if two feet deep, not so severe; if one foot deep, a mild winter.
• When pigs gather leaves and straw in fall, expect a cold winter.
• When rabbits are fat in October and November, expect a long, cold winter.

OTHER WEATHER FOLKLORE

• If sheep ascend hills and scatter, expect clear weather.
• Bats flying late in the evening indicates fair weather.
• Wolves always howl more before a storm.

LEARN MORE

• Birds and insects may be the best weather predictors of them all. See how birds predict weather.
• Did you know that you can also predict the temperature by measuring how often crickets chirp? Find out how here!
• Also, check out this great video to learn more about how animals predict the weather.

Do you have any sure-fire ways to predict winter weather?