As a second grader in 1970, I recall my teacher incorporating weather lore into our lessons. Some of the lore went back centuries.
“When you see the first robin redbreast, it’s a sure sign of spring.” Not anymore! The winters are now warm enough for robins to find food year-round; they don’t migrate anymore. So, if you see a robin on January 4th, don’t be thinking it’s springtime.
“When a groundhog sees its shadow, there’ll be six more weeks of winter.” Nowadays, the shadow means maybe four more wintery weeks.
“March comes in like a lion, out like a lamb.” Move it up one! Now its February. Not only the last several years, but this year — 2025 — saw the first week of February with record-high temperatures, high winds and a tornado outbreak.
“April showers bring May flowers.” Nope, nope, nope! March showers, April flowers. By mid-May, the precious flowers are wilting in the heat. Which brings me to the last bit of de-bunked weather lore.
“The dog days of summer” used to be mid-July through August. Now the excessive heat starts mid-May through the first week of October. It was low 90s the first week of October last year. On October 3rd and 4th of 2019 — 99 degrees.
YUCK!