This news item expired on Friday, January 30, 2015 so the information below could be outdated or incorrect.
Mute the meterologists and predict the weather for yourself the way mountain folk do...
Cut open a persimmon seed: see a spoon shape? Get out the shovel. A knife shape means frigid temps without much wet suff and a fork shape is a mild winter.
Touch a corn husk. Is it thick? Look for lots of snow.
Pat a cow. Thick fur on the nape...brrrr.
Watch a pig. If they gather sticks, gather your firewood.
Observe the bugs. See crickets on the hearth, spiders spinning XXL webs or marching ants? They know. Put break and milk on the list..NOW.
source: Our State magazine, January 2015 edition.