Forecasting Spring Weather Through February Folk Signs

If you«re already tired of winter and waiting for spring and summer to arrive, first consider whether they will be early and warm. The answer to these questions can be found in the calendar of folk signs.

Author Dmitry Dyakonov conducted extensive research and compiled the results in the book «Folk Signs for Weather and Harvest.» In it, he not only collected general weather signs for the month but also explained what to pay attention to on each individual day.

«A cold February means a favorable summer; a cold and dry February signals a hot August; a warm February leads to a cold spring; a frosty February indicates a favorable summer,» the author listed the main signs of the month.

Precipitation in February says a lot: if it rains often, then spring and summer will also be rainy; if there is no snow at all, summer will be dry. Also, hope for frosts at the end of the month: the colder the last week of February, the warmer March will be!

More precise forecasts can be made based on signs from individual days:

1 February: The main sign for this day says that the weather today will be like the entire month. Also, look at the sky at night: if there are many stars, winter will linger. And if a blizzard rises during the day, there will be a blizzard on Maslenitsa (a traditional Slavic festival).

2 February: This day is also connected to Maslenitsa and shows the weather on the holiday.

3 February: Cold and dry weather promises a hot August.

5 February: Frost and bright sun are also a sign of a hot August, and if there is sun but no frost, spring will be early.

6 February: The weather on this day will be like spring. If the weather is windless all day, the second half of July will be dry and hot.

7 February: The weather from morning to noon indicates the first half of the next winter, and from noon to evening—the second half. Heavy snowfall on this day also predicts an early autumn.

10 February: Strong wind on this day is a harbinger of a rainy summer.

11 February: Heavy snow promises a quick thaw, and severe cold—heat at the end of summer.

14 February: Snowfall on this day is a sign of a wet, rainy spring.

15 February: If the day is cold and cloudy, then spring will be cold, and if a thaw begins, spring will be early and warm.

16 February: A lot of snow on this day foretells frequent rains in summer.

18 February: Severe frost promises a dry and hot summer, and a thaw—the imminent end of winter.

21 February: The stronger the frost on this day, the warmer March will be.

23 February: This day is also a «weather forecaster» for March. If frosts have lasted for a week by February 23, then the first month of spring will be warm.

24 February: Little snow on this day indicates that May will be warm.

25 February: A blizzard or thick fog predicts a rainy summer.

27 February: Good weather on this day is a bad sign, indicating that frosty days are ahead, and strong frost predicts a dry summer.