Signs of winter. Winter

20.06.2020

Despite the frost and cold, winter days are always considered a fabulous and amazing period of the year. Living according to the laws of nature, people rarely think about the meaning of natural phenomena. However, received from ancestors, winter signs are surprising in the accuracy of predictions.

Folk signs about winter

Most people want to learn how to predict the future in order to make proper plans for their lives. Ancestors believed that a person born on winter days is wise, purposeful and capable of working miracles. It has long been shown how much time is left until the beginning of spring and what kind of weather the summer will bring. What winter signs have survived to this day:

severe frosts predict a fruitful year;
if the ice on the river is flat, there will be little bread;
it’s warm outside, summer will be cold and rainy;
a lot of snow, a bountiful harvest is expected;
if the clouds are low in December, severe cold is approaching;
there are many stars in the sky - the cold will intensify;
February is frosty - the cold season is short;
the less snow falls, the drier the fields will be;
in order to make a profit in the new year, on January 1, a man must be the first to enter the house;
On Christmastide there is a lot of snow, raspberries will grow well;
It’s blowing on Epiphany, Shrovetide will be cold;
the first snow fell at night, a blizzard will come soon;
a crow croaks at the top of the trees, signs foretell a blizzard;
January is warm and foggy – spring is late and cold;
the bullfinch arrived - the frost soon arrived;
severe cold in February indicates a sultry June;
what the weather is like on Assumption, this will be the case throughout December;
the moon is red on the horizon, the wind and snowstorm will rise in the morning;
the echo is heard into the distance - the frost gets stronger;
wolves howl in the cold;
before a severe cold, hares come to the house;
on Epiphany the full moon means rainy spring;
a winter sign notes that while the bird cherry blossoms, there will be cold weather;
the dog is lying on the floor - a blizzard is approaching;
the cones on the spruce are closed in anticipation of bad weather;
on the eve of warm days, the air above the forest turns blue;
if smoke spreads across the ground, then a blizzard is approaching;
On December 30 the weather is like in May;
February 10 is windy for a damp summer.

Miracles happen at this time, because the beginning of a new year brings happiness to every home. What winter signs are associated with this holiday:

On New Year's Eve, you cannot send guests home until they themselves want to leave, otherwise you can scare away good luck.
Breaking dishes in the midst of fun threatens problems in your personal life.
Before you start the feast, you should take a bath and wash away all the negativity of the past year.
On New Year's Eve, you have a dream that characterizes the coming year.
Throwing away leftover food after a feast can ward off wealth.

First day of winter - signs

Winter signs say:

How you spend December 1st is how you will spend the whole year.
If the day is warm, then the season will be mild.
Folk signs on the first day of winter show the quality of weather conditions until spring.
Crows roam the roads, it will be warm.
The mosquito woke up in the room as the thaw approached.
Dampness and warmth this month are a sign of a cold and late spring. The first snow has fallen, and in forty days the start of cold weather is expected.
Icicles have appeared, the summer will be rainy.
The sound of a woodpecker is heard, spring will come early.
The tit is chirping outside the window, frosts are expected.

Winter signs about the harvest

The most popular fruit signs:

A lot of snow and frost on Epiphany means lush growth of grass.
It's warm and snowy on New Year's Day, and the bread will produce well.
January 12th is a starry night, there will be a lot of peas.
Winter signs for the harvest suggest that on Epiphany night, place cups of different cereals outside the window, where the frost will fall, such grain will produce abundantly.
On February 15, there will be a windy fruit harvest.
A March snowstorm in the fields portends good growth for vegetables.
Grains are abundant if the snowdrifts are large.
If the wind blows from the west at Christmas, the year will be profitable.

Sign - the leaves have not fallen for the winter

Winter signs about foliage and plants:

If snow falls before the leaves fall, the frosts will be severe, but spring will come early.
A rich crop of rowan will grow if there are harsh days.
Frost forms on the trees - the cold will weaken.
Folk winter signs warn that if fallen leaves lie wrong side up, then the crops will be large.
If December is rainy and there are leaves on the trees, then there will be no snow until the Epiphany cold.

Sign - a butterfly in the house in winter

Winter signs can also tell you about a butterfly that has appeared in your home. To understand why a butterfly flies around the apartment, you need to determine the color of its coloring. Folk signs about winter say that if the moth is red, yellow or pinkish, then prosperity comes to the house. An insect of a green or bluish tint predicts the approach of interesting events and good news. A black, brown or gray guest who wakes up portends trouble. He must be sent out the window as quickly as possible and under no circumstances killed.

The fly woke up in winter - signs

The awakening of insects in the cold season is an unnatural phenomenon that occurs before warming outside the window, so some winter signs are associated with it. A fly in an apartment in winter is a sign of an imminent illness in the household. In popular beliefs, there is information about the appearance of buzzing guests as messengers of death. There is a ritual action that will help protect the family from harm. Having seen the winged guest, you need to knock on the window glass and say: “Everything has its time, and trouble is away from us! Let it be so!".

Sign - ladybug at home in winter

Winter omens are also associated with ladybugs. A cute speckled bug appears in families with a favorable atmosphere. A ladybug appeared in the house of a childless couple in winter; a baby is expected to appear soon. By counting the number of spots on the back of a bug, you can find out how many happy and profitable months there will be in the coming year. Talismans with the image of a cute insect bring good luck and protect the owner from magical influences. A bug sat on an unmarried girl, expecting an imminent wedding.

Sign - pigeons bathe in a puddle in winter

Animals, insects and birds are excellent indicators of changing weather, which is why there are winter signs associated with them. Signs associated with birds in winter will tell you a lot of new and interesting things. Pigeons bathe in puddles, foreshadowing a dry summer and low rainfall in the fall. A bird on the roof is a sign of an approaching strong blizzard.

Sign - seeing a rainbow in winter

Winter signs also affected the phenomenon of rainbows. Some people believe that by finding a place where the colored rays hit the ground, it is possible to get rich. For many years, after seeing a wondrous beauty in the sky, people have been making wishes. , which indicates good. The greener it is, the faster happiness will come. Having seen such a miracle, you should not point your finger at the sky; there is a risk of bringing disaster to your loved ones. A rainbow appeared in the cold season - success and happiness for the whole year. If she suddenly disappears from sight, failure is approaching.

Sign - thunderstorm in winter

Thunderstorms in the winter cold are a very strange and inexplicable phenomenon that has been observed since ancient times, and even then winter signs associated with it at this time of year were born. Signs about winter are varied and not always clear:

A morning thunderstorm on a snowy day foreshadows warm, but not hot, weather in July.
Having heard the heavenly roar, you need to wash your face from a silver bowl to attract health and youth.
If there is no such bowl, place silver coins in any convenient container.
Not calm in the sky always foreshadows strong winds and storms.
Elderly people believe that a thunderstorm thunders across the bare forest, predicting famine and war.

Lightning in winter signs

Lightning has long been considered a symbol of Perun. The blow of the heavenly guest was considered punishment for sins. To prevent the house from falling under its attack, it is necessary to store a piece of burnt wood on the window. Winter weather signs associated with lightning are varied and contradictory:

If you believe superstitions, then the fire that appears from a lightning strike cannot be extinguished; the dead devil burns in it.
Lightning appeared on a snowy day, the night will be the frostiest.
Lightning in cold weather foretells heavy snowfall.
To protect against heavenly punishment, you need to get a black animal or slip blessed birch branches under the roof.

Thunder in winter omens

Since ancient times, heavenly rumblings have been considered a manifestation of God's wrath. Winter signs associated with this phenomenon indicate the following:

The sound of thunder coming from the north indicates a cold and short summer.
Natural signs of winter note that thunder in mid-February is a sign of poor haymaking.
There is ice on the river, and thunder is thundering in the sky - it’s worth stocking up on felt boots and a sheepskin coat.
Rumbling in the last days of November, a clear sign of a cold January.
February thunder promises a windy April.

// Winter folk signs

Squirrels make a large supply of nuts - wait for a cold winter.
Large ant heaps with sharp roofs - for a harsh winter.
A large harvest of mushrooms during the summer foreshadows a long winter.
Fast, friendly leaf fall - for a harsh winter.
In December, winter lays down white canvases, and frost builds bridges across rivers.
In October, birds fly lower to the ground - early and cold winter.
Crows gather in a bunch - in case of bad weather, they also swim; croak in a flock in the summer - to bad weather; in winter - to frost.
The year ends in December, winter begins.
Wintering rooks - for a warm winter.
Thunder in September foreshadows a warm autumn and a snowy winter.
Thunder in winter means strong winds.
Thunder in winter means severe frosts, lightning means a storm.
Good harvest - for winter.
The oak grove turns black in winter - a sign of a thaw or storm. The forest is noisy in winter - expect a thaw.
If hares have a lot of fat, then the winter will be harsh.
If the forest is noisy in winter, it means that there will soon be a thaw.
If the weather is constant in the first week of August, then the winter will be long and snowy.
If geese and cranes are in no hurry to leave their homes, the cold will not come soon and the winter will be mild and short.
If earrings appear in the sun in winter, there will be severe frost.
If the snow falls evenly in winter, it is thicker this spring; lies in beds, puffs up - this one less often.
If a cat runs around the room in winter, it will be frosty.
If there is a lot of field sow thistle in the summer, the winter will be cold, if there is a lot of sorrel, the winter will be warm.
If the leaves fall soon, we should expect a cool winter.
If the leaves on the trees turn yellow below, winter sowing will be good.
If the leaves, crumbling, lie inside out - to the harvest and a warm winter, face up - to the cold winter.
If mice open holes on the warm side (south), then the winter will be harsh.
If a mouse makes a nest in flax, then there will be heavy snow in winter.
If field mice carry a lot of bread into their holes, then you can expect a cold, long winter.
If a leaf does not fall cleanly from a tree, there will be a cold winter.
We have noticed: the drier and warmer September is, the later the arrival of winter.
The willow was covered with frost early - for a long winter.
When smoke without wind hits the ground, in summer it hits rain, in winter it hits snow.
When the month is born with its horns downward (to the south), it will be a warm month in winter and a hot month in summer; When the horns are up, it is cold in winter and windy in summer.
When ants create large ant heaps in the summer, expect an early, cold winter.
If there is frost in winter - dew in summer, blizzards in winter - bad weather in summer.
If moles carry a lot of straw into their holes, the winter will be cold.
Mosquitoes in November - be a mild winter.
Moles and mice make large reserves - for a harsh and snowy winter.
A circle around the sun that does not separate when disappearing means good and dry weather. If the circle breaks, then there will be wind from the side of the ring break. If the circle is dark, in winter it foretells cold, in summer it portends rain and wind. The circle is greenish or reddish before sunrise or sunset - rain or wind for several days.
Chickens begin to molt early in the fall - leading to a warm winter.
Summer is stormy - winter with snowstorms.
Summer is rainy - winter is snowy.
Summer is dry and hot - winter is light and frosty.
Many ducks remain for the winter if the winter is expected to be warm.
There are a lot of acorns on the oak tree in September - for a fierce winter, there will also be a lot of snow before Christmas.
A lot of acorns on an oak tree - for a warm winter.
A lot of cobwebs in Indian summer - for a clear autumn and cold winter.
Ants enlarge their anthills in August - expect an early and cold winter.
An abundance of berries in summer foreshadows a cold winter.
October thunder - winter is snowless, short and mild.
In autumn, birds fly low for a cold winter, high for a warm winter.
The first snow falls forty days before winter.
Late leaf fall means a harsh and long winter.
The appearance of mosquitoes in late autumn means a mild winter.
The bird is getting cocky - before the severe winter.
Bees seal the entrance to the hive with wax, leaving a barely visible hole - the winter will be cold; leave the entrance open - warm.
In the fall, bees seal the honeycombs tightly with wax - for a cold winter, and leave them open - for a warm winter.
The horns are towards the wind, but the lower one is steep, the upper one is sloping, then the first half of the month is cold in winter, windy in summer; if the upper horn is steeper and the lower one is shallower, then the same sign is for the second half of the month.
The stars shine strongly in the summer - to the heat, in the winter - to the frost. Getting dark means variable weather, wind and thunderstorms.
The bullfinch sings in winter in the snow, blizzard and slush.
It will be a severe winter if the birds fly away together.
Wet summer and warm autumn mean a long winter.
Wet summer and warm autumn mean a long winter.
Warm winter leads to cold summer.
Warm October predicts a frosty winter.
The hare's fur has turned white - winter is coming.
There is a harvest for nuts, but no mushrooms, the winter will be snowy and harsh.
A fruitful summer foreshadows a cold winter.
Khleborod - before severe winter.
A clear, round moon means cold in winter. In the summer - to the bucket.

Winter signs for children

According to popular belief, the beautiful Winter arrives on a pinto horse. Getting off his horse, Winter begins his magic: he forges frosts, covers rivers and lakes with ice bridges, pours snow from one sleeve and frost from the other. Winter's voice is young and clear, and ice glistens in her eyes. How favorable the winter will be, how severe the frosts will be, and how much snow it will scatter across the fields will determine what the future harvest will be like, and therefore the whole next year.

Winter weather signs

Signs of the winter weather were something like modern weather reports, helping the prudent owner prepare the farm for the cold on time and survive the winter without damage. That is why signs indicating the imminent onset of frost were especially important. Signs indicating the size of the future harvest helped plan how much of what supplies should be prepared for the next winter.

Frosts should be expected if the wind is humming in the chimney and the smoke from the chimney is standing in a column.
If a cat hides its nose under its paw and lies close to the stove, it becomes colder.
If you hear a crackling sound in the forest, then the frosts will last a long time. Cold weather is also heralded by logs burning cracklingly in the stove.
If tits scream in the morning, this means increased frost.
A rich harvest of rowan foreshadows a harsh winter.
If there is heavy snow at the beginning of winter, then there will be heavy rain at the beginning of summer.
If December turns out to be snowy and cold, then the harvest will be good.
If in December the snow drifts close to the fences, then the summer will be bad, but if there is a gap left, then expect a big harvest.
If thunder rumbles in winter, severe frosts will soon be expected.
If smoke comes out of the chimney in a column, it will get colder.
If on the first day of February the sky is dotted with many stars, then the cold will continue for a long time.
If the sky is clear on the first day of February, then spring will be early.
If the winter is snowless and harsh, then the summer will be dry and hot.
If winter is warm, then summer will be cold.
The more snow on the fields, the larger the harvest will be.
By the 15th day of February they judge how soon to expect spring. If it snows on this day, then spring will not come soon.
If the sun shines on Tatyana’s day (January 25), it means early spring and the early arrival of birds; if it snows, it means a rainy summer.
If strong winds blow at the beginning of winter, then the beginning of spring will be slushy.

We have collected for you interesting materials about winter, which may be needed by schoolchildren when writing stories and reports about this time of year, and by primary school teachers to familiarize students with the topic “Winter. Winter months. Winter natural phenomena. Winter signs about the weather.”, in this case, the story can be presented as a presentation. It would make a wonderful lesson or extracurricular activity.

What is winter?

When the last colorful leaves finish falling and envelop the earth with their motley carpet, and gray raindrops give way to chilly cold and the first sparkling snowflakes, winter comes into its own. She reigns for three whole months: timid frosty December, snowy and festive January and, of course, February, famous for its severe cold. In winter, nature sleeps sweetly, wrapped in a blanket of snow and calmed by the discordant but melodic tune of the blizzard. However, this exciting time of year announces itself not only with a lush cap of snow-white snowdrifts and transparent icicles hanging from the roofs of houses, but also with a temperature that does not rise above zero degrees Celsius, and makes you chilly to wrap yourself in warm clothes.

Changes in nature in winter

December

December, which marks the arrival of winter, unlike the mild autumn of November, very rarely pampers nature with its thaws. He carefully and gradually prepares for the onset of cold weather and frosts, lowering the temperature on the thermometer and wrapping everything around with a warm blanket of snow. Thanks to such care, many small animals and plants can survive the coming cold, because it is warmer under the snow than outside. Sparkling snowdrifts often reach 30 cm and no longer surrender to the mercy of the timid rays of the sun. The lower the air temperature, the harder the snow and the more sonorous its melodic crunch becomes.

Gradually, the day begins to lose its ground, and the cold December nights become longer and longer. Short-term frosts are already beginning to show their harsh character and a thin crust of ice hinders the movement of winding rivers. Sometimes December indulges in slight thaws and a pleasant increase in temperature, but it can remind itself of sharp frosts, and the Arctic winds gradually bring more and more cold and freshness.

In the northern hemisphere, the night of December 22 is the longest of the year, and the day of December 22 is the shortest of the year. On the winter solstice, December 22, the sun rises to its lowest height above the horizon all year.

With the onset of December, there are many folk signs about the weather. Here are some of them:

If in December the sky is cloudy and the clouds hang low, it means you should expect a big harvest next year.
If thunder rumbles often this month, then in January there will be very severe frosts.
The lack of rain means that spring and summer will also be dry.
Lots of snow, frost and frozen ground signify a good fall harvest.
If bullfinches arrived this month, then winter will be frosty.

In Rus', at the beginning of December, they already began to make sleigh tracks and organized troika rides. From December 9, in the evening it was worth staying close to houses, as the wolves began to approach closer to the village.

However, December marks not only the beginning of winter, but also the eager anticipation of the New Year. This holiday, celebrated on the night of December 31 to January 1, is one of the most wonderful days, because it symbolizes not only the beginning of a new year, but also a time of finding new hopes and aspirations, faith in positive changes and magical events. Every person on this holiday becomes a child and looks forward to the advent of a bewitching fairy tale and the fulfillment of all dreams. The smell of pine needles and the unique taste of tangerines awaken warm memories and make the heart beat faster in anticipation of miracles.

January

In January, winter fully comes into its own. She serenely reigns over nature and continues her snowy and frosty march. Epiphany cold and unique snow crystals create a magical winter fairy tale from the intricate patterns on the windows, they sing about it, whirling in a whirlpool of a blizzard, and boldly look into the cloudless blue sky. The bitter cold makes itself felt with clouds of steam from the mouth and a pleasant tingling sensation on the cheeks and nose. All this magic is supported by a temperature already established within -10-30 degrees Celsius. The days are gradually becoming longer, and the impenetrable darkness of frosty nights is gradually losing its position. However, the piercing light of the bright sun does not have time to warm the earth, so the stubborn cold asserts its rights even more firmly and makes the air piercingly frosty. Thanks to this, at night you can admire the clear sky and sparkling diamonds of the stars. The wind is not as strong as in December and does not shake the trees dressed in snow, but only lovingly strokes their tops.

January is famous not only for its mesmerizing beauty, but also for the onset of the most important event in the life of Christians - the Nativity of Christ. This bright holiday, celebrated on January 7, is solemnly celebrated by all believers, and their congratulations to each other merge together to the sound of bells.

The days from January 7 to January 19 are called Christmastide. They are illuminated by the light of the Nativity of Christ and are perfect for various games, fortune telling and carols. Most often fortune telling occurred on the night of January 13-14. Young girls wanted to find out who their betrothed would be, and married women wanted to find out what the weather would be like in the summer and whether they should expect a big harvest. Christmastide was also a period of noisy weddings. In Rus' these days they organized sleigh rides and all kinds of snow fun.

According to folk signs about the weather:

if the south wind blows on January 21, then the summer will be stormy, and if there is frost on the stacks on the 23rd, then the summer will be cool and rainy.

February

With the onset of February, the thick gray sky, which continues to cover the sleeping earth with a soft cap of a blanket of snow, gradually becomes a little kinder and allows the bright rays of the sun to often peek through the dense clouds. Winter still reminds us of itself with the discordant tune of a blizzard and a cheerful carousel of snowflakes swirling in a blizzard, but the premonition of spring is gradually beginning to revive everything around. Cheeks pink from the biting frost gradually begin to warm up with the timid warmth of the sun. The snow becomes covered with a thin crust and begins to slowly give way, anticipating the approach of spring. The days are getting longer, and the clear sky is increasingly pleasing the eye with its unique blue.

In the southern regions of Russia, buds appear on willows - the first harbingers of spring, and thawed patches, like messengers, carry the news of its approach. The frosty wind pleasantly pricks the face with small snowflakes, and the chilly frost alternates with long-awaited thaws. However, the mesmerizing snowstorms and stubborn cold will not soon surrender to the mercy of the beautiful spring.

There are many folk signs about the weather associated with February.

If the weather is very cold and frosty this month, then summer will be hot.
Little snow in February threatens a poor harvest.
If thunder rumbles, then you should expect strong winds.
Rainy February indicates the same spring and summer.
Bright stars predict frost, and dim stars predict thaw.
If the frosts in February are very severe, then the winter will be short.

Signs of winter

One of the first signs of winter is the appearance of dense, low-hanging clouds. They, like a fur blanket, envelop the sky and do not allow the sun's rays to break through their curtain and delight the earth with their warmth, and the sun is low and does not warm up so much. Such clouds are very different from summer, light and cirrus. The winter sky does not please with its colors, but it compensates for this with sparkling snowflakes, neatly covering everything around, as if sparkling silver.

Thick blanket of snow is also an important sign of winter. Only at this time of year fluffy snowflakes do not melt under the timid rays of the sun, but, gradually adding to them, create a reliable snow cover.

Winter is also famous for its frosts. It's gradually getting colder. The thin needles of the first frosty winds begin to tingle your cheeks and nose and force you to wrap yourself more tightly in winter clothes. A warm jacket is complemented by its permanent companions - a hat and mittens.

Plants and animals are also actively preparing for the onset of winter. Trees and shrubs in anticipation of cold weather and cloudy days shed their leaves. However, this will not last long and in the spring the first small leaves will appear on the branches. Only coniferous trees do not want to part with their green needles and continue to delight them even in winter.

In winter there is little food, so some animals hibernate, and those that continue to stay awake grow fluffy and thick fur. The hare, for example, turns white, and the hedgehog and bear hibernate.

It is also not easy for birds to tolerate cold and lack of abundant food, so many of them fly away to warmer climes, and the rest adapt to different types of food.

Natural phenomena in winter

At this time of year there are such interesting and unusual natural phenomena as:

Blizzard
Black ice
Icicles
Frost patterns

A blizzard appears with the first gusts of wind and, boldly picking up the snow cover, carries it away into a mysterious winter dance. This is a very harsh natural phenomenon that it is better not to encounter on the way. The blizzard boldly controls the snowy landscape and arranges fluffy snowdrifts at will. Most often this happens in the middle of winter, when frost and cold reign supreme.

Black ice, like a sweet winter dream, binds water bodies and covers not only the continuous flow of rivers, but also all roads with a thin crust of ice. This happens if, after rain or sleet, the temperature drops below zero. Ice on the rivers prevents navigation, but provides ample scope for all kinds of winter activities, such as sledding, skating or skiing.

Another interesting winter phenomenon is icicles. They, like ice daggers, fall into the ground and crumble into hundreds of sparkling fragments. Icicles form when snow on roofs or other flat objects begins to melt, and the resulting water freezes at low temperatures at night.

Frosty patterns, like frost, are an incredible lace creation of winter. Their whimsical design and mesmerizing beauty leave a lot of room for imagination and immerse you in a snowy fairy tale. This becomes possible due to the formation of ice crystals settling on the irregularities of the glass. They overlap each other and create pictures of incredible beauty.

Winter is not only a beautiful time of year, but also a very unusual one. She is like a big mystery that has yet to be solved. For example:

snow is a real work of art and there are no two identical snowflakes in the world.
Snowflakes are 95% air, which is why they fall to the ground so slowly.
In Antarctica you can find purple, pink or red snow.
In different countries and parts of the world, ice has different temperatures. For example, the coldest ice is found in Antarctic glaciers and reaches -60 degrees Celsius, and the warmest (0 degrees) is on the tops of the Scandinavian mountains and the Alps.
More than half of the world's inhabitants have never seen real snow.
On February 18, 1979, snowfall was recorded in the Sahara Desert, which is one of the hottest places on the planet.
You can enjoy the warmest winter in Northern Sudan. There at this time of year the temperature rarely drops below +40 degrees.
One of the coldest and most uninhabitable places is Antarctica. In winter, the air temperature there averages -70 degrees. And at Vostok station, which is located in Antarctica, a temperature of -89.2 degrees was recorded.

Winter is a wonderful and fabulous time of year, when, despite the short days and frosty air, life does not freeze, but is filled with new light and sound. The snow-white blanket of snow and snowflakes sparkling in the sun, the unique patterns on the glass and the ice crust that binds rivers and lakes are endlessly pleasing to the eye. The prickly frost, lovingly touching your cheeks, reminds you of how many outdoor games this time of year conceals and makes you freeze in anticipation of the New Year holidays.

It is not for nothing that winter is called the most magical of all seasons: these are the expectations associated with the approach of everyone’s favorite holiday - the New Year, these are also children’s favorite pastimes associated with making snowmen, sledding and skiing, this is also a wonderful time for folk signs. Let's dwell on them, especially since for a child, weather signs in winter will be an excellent opportunity to learn as much as possible about Mother Nature.

Zimushka-winter

Winter time is one of the most wonderful times of the year. It combines endless frosts, chilling to the bones, and inconsistent warmth from the rare winter sun. In the old days, people loved to guess on anything and in any way. And winter here is no exception. The ancient signs of winter have kept and still continue to keep the intrigue of the future... What will happen ahead - a quick spring or a long winter? From year to year, from century to century, people asked Mother Nature about this. And, by the way, they recorded their observations in the so-called monthbook.

What is a mesenzolov?

This is a calendar that existed in ancient times. People who lived in Rus' placed in it various information about signs and various church holidays. As we have already said, signs of winter weather were also written down in the monthbook. For example, people believed that if the New Year turned out to be bad weather, then the harvest would be good. Another well-known winter sign, once reflected in the month's word, is associated with Tatiana's day: if it is warm on Tatiana (January 25), then wait for an early summer, and if there is snow, then wait for a damp and cold summer.

Folk signs in winter

Once upon a time, winter signs were something like weather reports. They helped farmers and peasants prepare their farms before the onset of cold weather. This is what made signs foreshadowing the onset of frost so popular in our time. Below are some of the most famous and often come true winter signs.

If the wind is humming in the chimneys, and smoke is pouring out of the chimneys, expect frost.
The crackling of vegetation in the forest predicts prolonged frosts.
A harsh winter is predicted by a bountiful autumn harvest of rowan.
Are tits calling loudly in the mornings in December? Frost will come soon.
A cold and snowy December indicates a good harvest next year.
Signs of a cold winter are also reflected in the behavior of land animals, not just birds. If, for example, a cat hides its nose under its paw or lies close to the stove, then expect severe frosts. If a cat in the house stands on its hind legs and scratches the walls with its claws, expect a blizzard. A blizzard is also predicted by a dog lying in the snow. If a horse lies down on the snow, then a thaw is coming.
If thunder suddenly strikes in winter, expect cold weather, and if lightning strikes, storms.
A suspiciously warm winter indicates a rainy summer.
If there is fog on the streets in the morning in winter, a thaw will soon come.
Is the snow flying and swirling in flakes? Expect bad weather and wet weather!
The sooner the snow falls, the sooner spring will happen.
Russian folk signs say: deep and loose snow means a rich harvest. If the snow drifts close to the fences in December, the summer will turn out to be bad. If there is a gap left, then the summer will be fruitful.
Is the forest noisy in winter? Wait for the thaw!
Frequent winds in December promise a lot of slush in March and April.

Signs in winter by numbers

Weather signs of winter are based not only on the behavior of living and inanimate nature, but also on the dates of a particular month. Let's consider them too.

It is believed that December 1 sets the tone for the rest of the winter. If the weather is warm on this day, then the winter promises to be warm, if it’s cold, the winter will be fierce, and if it’s changeable, get ready for surprises!
If there was frost on December 29, then the cold will last until the bright holiday of the Epiphany.
Whatever weather happens on January 1, the first day of summer will be the same.
If it's warm and clear on January 5th, expect a bountiful harvest this year.
If the sun is shining on Tatiana's day (January 25), then the birds will return to their homeland very early, and if it snows, then the coming summer will be cloudy and rainy.
Is the sun shining brightly on February 15th? Spring will come soon!

Sun and frost - a wonderful day!

Russian folk signs, one way or another connected with the winter season, were so popular in Rus' that the most space is allocated for them in the folk month. Among them there are permanent signs. For example, it is difficult to argue with this prediction: December 25 is the so-called solstice. At this time, the sun is a sign of summer, and winter is a sign of frost. Who could argue with that, right?

And it’s true: already at the end of December, the sun begins to rise higher and higher every day, shining and warming up Mother Earth longer and longer. But this in no way prevents the frosts from getting stronger and gaining strength. That is why February is often no less cold than January with its famous Epiphany frosts.

Linguists generally believe that the Belarusian name for February - “lute” - is connected with this. Forecasters, in turn, say that such signs in winter are not just some kind of folk observation, but a whole mystery of our Russian climate: the sun is warming more and more, and winter is getting colder and colder. But there's nothing you can do about it.

Groundhog Day - the most famous winter omen

Groundhog Day is, of course, not an original Russian sign, but only an American one, but it would be unfair not to mention it in this article, because it is the most recognizable winter prediction of the coming of spring around the world! In addition, it came to our country not so long ago as borrowed from Canada: for the last few years, February in Russia has not been complete without this sign. In winter (February 2), the whole world remembers the groundhog...

What is Groundhog Day?

This is not so much an American folk sign as a traditional winter holiday celebrated in Canada and the USA. Every year on February 2, Americans make observations of a marmot crawling out of its hole. Legend says that if a groundhog, waking up from sleep, does not see its shadow and calmly leaves the hole, then winter will soon recede, giving way to the beautiful spring. To be fair, it should be noted that marmots do not see their shadows only on cloudy days.

If the groundhog, having left the hole, sees its shadow and, frightened by it, hides back in the hole, the Americans will have to endure another 6 weeks of winter. Again, we note that this rodent can see its shadow only if the day of February 2 is initially clear. The most famous meteorologist in America and around the world is, of course, Phil from the town of Punxsutawney in Pennsylvania. This is what they are, these folk signs in winter!