First Frost

These photos of frost on fall leaves and grass were taken at 8:30 a.m. October 22. According to Dick Frymire, folklore weather forecaster, here's what was predicted: "Give or take two days--Oct. 20 light frost." So far, so good, Dick with your 2011-12 winter predictions. Every year we look forward to the release of winter weather forecasts based on Frymire's readings from his ancient maple tree. Other forecasters rely on the color and striping of woolly worms, the number of foggy mornings in August, the shape of persimmon seed hearts, thickness of drying corn husks, the nut gathering habits of squirrels, and of course The Old Farmer's Almanac (80% accuracy). All this wisdom, plus the National Weather Service science, predicts that we will have a snowy Thanksgiving and Christmas with some extra icy cold days throughout January. Oh, and don't be surprised if there's another tornado season the end of February and early March. Just to mess with the forecasters, both folk and scientific.

So the next significant weather is, according to Frymire, going to be a killing frost on November 18. Just time to wash the outside windows, plant spring bulbs, get up the leaves, and decide whether you want to sweep up after that huge Boston fern all winter or just spend $10 on a new one in the spring!