Like Snow? Count The Number of Fogs in August!
What does fog in August have to do with snow? Check out some fascinating weather lore that is not only whimsical but also wise.
Here at the Farmers’ Almanac, we love finding old folklore sayings about the weather. And it seems each month and season has its own set of lore. We just released our winter weather outlook, so our thoughts are on cold and snow.
And, according to weather lore, “For every fog in August, there will be a snowfall.” So we hope you have your calendars out and pens ready to start counting!
August Weather Lore
If the first week in August is unusually warm, the coming winter will be snowy and long.
If a cold August follows a hot July, it foretells a winter hard and dry.
While many of us in the 21st century may think weather lore is more whimsical than wise, it’s hard to discount all of these “natural forecasters,” especially when they prove to be true. But how could a saying that’s been passed down from sailor to farmer to business executive really predict the weather?!
Weather Lore: Accurate?
While not all weather lore is accurate, there are many sayings that prove to be on the mark time and time again. When you examine weather folklore, you realize that the basics of this weather predicting method are careful observations that have been made over many years. Weather lore relies on the notion that there is a strong cause-and-effect relationship between nature and the weather.
A weather lore forecaster takes cues from nature at the time he or she needs to know what the weather is going to be like. It is more of a short-term forecast for a specific area, rather than a long-term forecast for broad areas.
What About the Farmers’ Almanac’s Forecasts?
Here at the Farmers’ Almanac, we acknowledge and appreciate weather lore, but do not use it when we make our long-range weather predictions. We don’t count acorns or fogs in August. We have a mathematical and astronomical formula that is more often than not quite accurate. Learn more about how we make our predictions here.
Wondering about our forecast accuracy? Check it out.
What other bits of folklore are related to winter weather? See the list!
This article was published by the staff at Farmers' Almanac. Do you have a question or an idea for an article? Contact us!
- Farmers' Almanac Staffhttps://www.farmersalmanac.com/author/fa-admin
- Farmers' Almanac Staffhttps://www.farmersalmanac.com/author/fa-admin
- Farmers' Almanac Staffhttps://www.farmersalmanac.com/author/fa-admin
- Farmers' Almanac Staffhttps://www.farmersalmanac.com/author/fa-admin
I wish you had posted this the beginning of August!
My Daughter says if the old Wives tale about the Foggy mornings in August and Snowfall in Southeastern Ohio we will have 14 snowfalls. Hoping this is not true, but we will see. lol.
whatever happen to Indian Summer?
We’ve had 4 thick fogs in august. We may need to get snow shovels handy. I will have to cut a persimmon in half to see if there’s a spoon shape in it! We live in western Kentucky.
Sue – did the winter turn out as you thought? Curious because we just had an unusual fog here in Montana and 90 days from today is early august. [email protected]
When are dog days in North Western Virginia
When are dog days in North Eastern Virginia
For Abri farms,
Where are you? I see you are getting fog everday? Maybe this is a back east thing? Here in southeastern Wyoming, we merely got 3 or 4 days of fog, total. Maybe this means we dont get much, if any moisture?
http://www.rawhidestudios.com
Patti Padgett,
We are north of you, Torrington, Wyoming. didnt get the rains you did. Gardens here this year have been disappointing. . in fact, not much at all in rain really and a cold spring With our luck, another cold but DRY winter!
We have a saying here in TX regarding August weather, “hot today, hot tamale”. This actually usually starts in June and continues until November. Snow would be nice for a change!
After reading all your comments I am afraid to say this my peeps, We have birds bunching up, Our fruit trees are full and happy, we have dense fog every Morning….even the nut trees are flourishing…..so all I have to say is, if you like skiing and winter activities…come on up, over, or where ever you live cause we apparently are going to have snow here in Vermont!!! LOL