Across our region, folklore says the color and markings of the wooly bear caterpillar can predict the severity of the coming winter. The length of the caterpillar’s dark bands supposedly indicates which part of winter will be coldest. A darker head means a harsh beginning, and a darker tail means a colder conclusion. A wider middle brown band is associated with milder winter conditions. Even the fuzziness is thought to be an indication of overall temperature patterns for the upcoming winter.
There’s no scientific evidence supporting these claims, but many people find it fascinating to see how accurate the caterpillar predications are.
The latest La Niña predictions still suggest a 60% chance of development into the month of November, although most believe it will be a relatively weak event. The 90-day forecast shows equal chances of above and below temperatures along with precipitation because of the uncertainty of La Niña.
Conditions have been drier across the region in the past six weeks. The US Drought Monitor shows evidence of expanding moderate dryness from northern Wisconsin into northern Minnesota. Most of Wisconsin and Minnesota show signs of abnormally dry conditions with severe dryness surfacing across western North and South Dakota.
Early freezes across our region ended the growing season in many areas, but temperatures recovered quickly. The corn and soybean crops were rated 10% to 15% higher quality than last season.
Looking Elsewhere
Hurricane damage across western and northern Florida stretches into billions as a series of tropical systems over the past several years have decimated many growing areas.
Heat and lack of moisture continue to adversely affect planting season in Argentina and Brazil, with more abundant showers across Australia stabilizing winter crops, especially in the southern region of the country.
