What Will The Winter Bring?

What Will The Winter Bring?
I saw this morning that Roseprairiequilts- What about this winter? had some interesting, common weather predictors listed. I had been thinking the other day about the Farmers Almanac too and how, in the "old days" people had been more in touch with their local weather patterns. The old "I feel it in my bones, storm's coming", or me, I try to pay attention to what the squirrels are doing. If they seem to be burying nuts early in the summer, usually seems to be a bad winter, more stormy and snowy. Boise used to have very dry winters, and cold and sunny, snow in the hills and mountains, nothing down here. The last several years have been getting more heavy snow storms here (which I love personally), and it's on the ground longer. Also colder, we had some 0 degree days for a week or more last winter. I personally think, from what I've read, that it's tied into climate change- more N.W. storms and more severe. The snow is great for the ski areas, but tough on the city- not enough snow equipment, and people don't know how to drive in it. They won't slow down, and think that 4-wheel drive is a miracle and somehow levitates them. We see more suvs upside down in the news, and off the road than regular cars. I keep waiting for people to wise up and slow down, and leave early. Bad winters are another good reason to keep my pantry stocked!