Latest News and Comment from Education

Monday, December 20, 2021

THE TOP BANANA: TODAY'S EDUCATION HEADLINES Monday, December 20, 2021 #REDFORED #tbats #edchat #K12 #learning #edtech #engchat #literacy #edreform #TEACHtheTRUTH #CRT

 Big Education Ape


THE TOP BANANA
TODAY'S EDUCATION HEADLINES



Public Voices For Public Schools - https://pv4ps.org/



Harvard extends policy making SAT tests optional for applicants - Axios - https://www.axios.com/decline-of-sat-tests-harvard-d044b956-a0f9-47b3-9ce7-a4a12dc306a4.html on @axios



The COVID Surge and Calls for Action | JD2718 - https://wp.me/pOjh-2k3 by @Jd2718x



Priorities – Tennessee Education Report - http://tnedreport.com/?p=5458 via @TNEdReport



Missouri: A Report from the Front Lines | Diane Ravitch's blog - https://wp.me/p2odLa-v7j via @dianeravitch



How Did Bobby Kennedy Jr. Become a Quack? | Diane Ravitch's blog - https://wp.me/p2odLa-val via @dianeravitch



The Corporate Management Is An Unfit Model for Education – M.A. Escotet via Scholarly Blog - https://miguelescotet.com/?p=1467 via @DrEscotet



Schools use therapy-based programs for 'overwhelmed' kids : NPR - https://www.npr.org/2021/12/20/1065714681/schools-embrace-social-and-emotional-learning-to-help-overwhelmed-students on @NPR



Safe Schools – Grumpy Old Teacher - https://wp.me/p9VD0X-QU by @sampsongregory



Teacher Tom: I Found A Wallet - http://teachertomsblog.blogspot.com/2021/12/i-found-wallet.html



Education Secretary Offers Guidance For Using Money, Which Our District Ignores | Larry Ferlazzo's Websites of the Day... - https://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/?p=123028 on @Larryferlazzo



Our Stories - Public Voices For Public Schools - https://pv4ps.org/our-stories/



Politico: RFK, Jr., Threw a Party Where Guests Were Required to Be Vaccinated | Diane Ravitch's blog - https://wp.me/p2odLa-vbk via @dianeravitch


‘Bright Starts and Bold Futures’: Incoming NYC Schools Chancellor David C. Banks Outlines His Goals https://sacobserver.com/2021/12/bright-starts-and-bold-futures-incoming-nyc-schools-chancellor-david-c-banks-outlines-his-goals/

DeSantis proposes legislation to let parents sue teachers who tell the truth about U.S. history - https://popular.info/p/desantis-proposes-legislation-to?r=npas&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web



Charter Scandals - Network For Public Education - https://networkforpubliceducation.org/charter-scandals/ on @Network4pubEd





Blog Posts Archive - Network For Public Education - https://networkforpubliceducation.org/best-posts/ on @Network4pubEd







Choosing Democracy: Build Back Better at Stake. - http://choosingdemocracy.blogspot.com/2021/12/build-back-better-at-stake.html





Mulgrew Doesn't Care Anymore About COVID or the Health and Well Being of Members - http://southbronxschool.blogspot.com/2021/12/mulgrew-doesnt-care-anymore-about-covid.html

glen brown: 12 Bands, Duos & Solo Artists I Have Listened to Over and Over Again - https://teacherpoetmusicianglenbrown.blogspot.com/2021/12/12-bands-duos-solo-artists-i-have.html



NewBlackMan (in Exile) - https://www.newblackmaninexile.net/ via @NewBlackMan

Artist Claudette Johnson – 'Giving Space to the Presence of a Black Woman' | NewBlackMan (in Exile) - https://www.newblackmaninexile.net/2021/12/artist-claudette-johnson-giving-space.html via @NewBlackMan

The Story Behind the Music of Drumline: Dasmyn Grigsby on HBCU Marching Bands | NewBlackMan (in Exile) - https://www.newblackmaninexile.net/2021/12/the-story-behind-music-of-drumline.html via @NewBlackMan

Soledad O'Brien Interviews a Doula on the Frontlines of Mississippi's Infant Mortality Crisis | NewBlackMan (in Exile) - https://www.newblackmaninexile.net/2021/12/soledad-obrien-interviews-doula-on.html via @NewBlackMan

Will Money Bags Manchin Help Kids Stay Out of Poverty? - LA Progressive - https://www.laprogressive.com/?p=389540 via @laprogressive




What Joe Manchin’s ‘No’ Means for Biden’s Agenda - The Atlantic - https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2021/12/joe-manchin-no-build-back-better/621062/?utm_source=feed on @theatlantic



Podcast: Putting a bow on 2021 https://nondoc.com/2021/12/20/podcast-puts-a-bow-on-2021/ via @nondocmedia

How 14 policies could survive — or die — after Manchin’s ‘no’ - POLITICO - https://www.politico.com/news/2021/12/19/14-policies-manchin-social-spending-525681




Chuck Schumer says the Senate will vote on the social spending bill and elections reform legislation early in the new year. - https://www.politico.com/minutes/congress/12-20-2021/schumer-next-steps/



Low Wages And Exploitative Conditions Are Sparking Graduate Student Strikes https://popularresistance.org/low-wages-and-exploitative-conditions-are-sparking-graduate-student-strikes/

Native Mascots Are A Direct Result Of America’s Fabricated Colonial History https://popularresistance.org/native-mascots-are-a-direct-result-of-americas-fabricated-colonial-history/

#242 Tech Cannot Replace Teacher Expertise (Jon Corippo pt.2) - Teach Me, Teacher - https://teachmeteacherpodcast.com/?p=12025

The push to ban books in Texas schools spreads to public libraries https://www.texastribune.org/2021/12/20/texas-library-books/

Special Privilege in Admission to Elite U.S. Colleges https://dissidentvoice.org/2021/12/special-privilege-in-admission-to-elite-u-s-colleges/

D.C. Third Graders Reportedly Told To Reenact Graphic Scenes From The Holocaust https://www.huffpost.com/entry/third-grade-holocaust-reenactment_n_61c01067e4b0bb04a62649dc

Gov.-elect Youngkin names school data consultant as Virginia education secretary https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2021/12/20/youngkin-virginia-education-secretary-guidera/

A high school quarterback comes back big after a lost year https://hechingerreport.org/a-high-school-quarterback-comes-back-big-after-a-lost-year/

Demand among Black, Latino students fuels college entrepreneurship programs https://hechingerreport.org/demand-among-black-hispanic-students-fuels-college-entrepreneurship-programs/

OPINION: Why college majors are another form of implicit bias in higher education https://hechingerreport.org/opinion-why-college-majors-are-another-form-of-implicit-bias-in-higher-education/

PROOF POINTS: 2021 Year in Review https://hechingerreport.org/proof-points-2021-year-in-review/

To increase and maintain teacher diversity, listen to teachers of color https://hechingerreport.org/listen-to-teachers-of-color-to-maintain-teacher-diversity/

How counselors and other school staff can help students with their mental health https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2021-12-20/school-counselors-what-are-they-how-does-seeing-one-work-are-there-wait-lists

Larry Ferlazzo's Websites of the Day... | The latest news and resources in education since 2007 - https://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/ on @Larryferlazzo

“Simbi” Looks Like An Excellent Reading & Speaking Platform For ELLs & Others | Larry Ferlazzo's Websites of the Day... - https://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/?p=122935 on @Larryferlazzo

A Look Back: The Problem With “Bribing Students” | Larry Ferlazzo's Websites of the Day... - https://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/?p=122279 on @Larryferlazzo

“Think Like This: Students Have the Best of Intentions” | Larry Ferlazzo's Websites of the Day... - https://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/?p=122984 on @Larryferlazzo

“Want Great Life Lessons? Pay Attention to Students” | Larry Ferlazzo's Websites of the Day... - https://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/?p=122927 on @Larryferlazzo

School Does Concentration Camp Simulation – Here Is Guidance On Good & Bad Simulations (& That One Was BAD!) | Larry Ferlazzo's Websites of the Day... - https://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/?p=123034 on @Larryferlazzo

Tennessee professor hid a cash prize on campus. The clue was in the syllabus https://www.npr.org/2021/12/20/1065723014/tennessee-professor-hid-a-cash-prize-on-campus-the-clue-was-in-the-syllabus

NYC Education Dept. to create first division dedicated to supporting kids in foster care https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/education/ny-department-of-education-division-dedicated-foster-kids-20211220-nblqo7pbyzgftcglhxi2gshh2y-story.html#ed=rss_www.nydailynews.com/arcio/rss/category/new-york/education/

Third-Graders Instructed to Re-enact Scenes From Holocaust, Principal Says https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/20/us/holocaust-librarian-elementary-school.html

Third graders forced to dig pretend mass graves in Holocaust reenactment — then told 'Jews ruined Christmas' https://www.rawstory.com/forced-holocaust-reenactment-children/

Manchin to Dems: Redo the whole thing, maybe I'll vote for it https://politi.co/3mnV0Gr via @politico

Sen. Joe Manchin Is Determined To Be the Senate Grinch Who Stole the Build Back Better Act https://www.theroot.com/sen-joe-manchin-is-determined-to-be-the-senate-grinch-1848244283

Exploring the future of work https://www.vox.com/2021/12/20/22846608/exploring-the-future-of-work

Elite Winsor Girls School In Boston Moving Away From Calling Girls “Girls” - https://legalinsurrection.com/?p=373476 by @kennymxu

'Test-to-stay' works to keep unvaccinated students in school safely, CDC director says - CNN - https://www.cnn.com/2021/12/17/health/test-to-stay-schools-cdc-studies/index.html#new_tab

How are Michigan schools spending billions in COVID funding? - Chalkbeat Detroit - https://detroit.chalkbeat.org/2021/12/18/22842007/michigan-schools-covid-funding-community-input-spending#new_tab on chalkbeat

Security protocols leave threat responses up to schools | AP News - https://apnews.com/article/oxford-high-school-shooting-crime-shootings-education-media-8168c51ce0c47d70b8d5085f4068a1db#new_tab on @ap

From masks to book banning, conservatives take on educators | AP News - https://apnews.com/article/conservatives-educators-coronavirus-masks-book-banning-cfe02e318d95070d468c88e7294d8aa9#new_tab on @ap

Murders of students amid the pandemic strain schools’ ability to cope, heal - Chicago Sun-Times - https://chicago.suntimes.com/education/2021/12/20/22836535/cps-trauma-public-schools-student-murders-killed-pandemic-lavizzo-simeon-crown#new_tab

Third-graders made to reenact the Holocaust in D.C. school - The Washington Post - https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2021/12/19/holocaust-reenactment-watkins-school-dc/#new_tab

New York may soon ditch its controversial teacher certification exam https://ny.chalkbeat.org/2021/12/17/22838616/new-york-state-teacher-certification-edtpa-workforce-diversity via @ChalkbeatNY

Parents end year with incredible stress https://www.axios.com/parents-covid-vaccine-tiktok-a0ec81f4-7d4b-4e63-b4d5-43cffff07618.html?utm_campaign=organic&utm_medium=socialshare&utm_source=twitter

The CDC’s Flawed Case for Wearing Masks in School - The Atlantic - https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2021/12/mask-guidelines-cdc-walensky/621035/#new_tab on @theatlantic

Purdue President Condemns Tactics Used to Censor Chinese Students on U.S. Campuses https://www.propublica.org/article/purdue-president-condemns-tactics-used-to-censor-chinese-students-on-u-s-campuses#1205690



Big Education Ape: CATCH UP WITH CURMUDGUCATION + ICYMI: Homecoming Edition (12/19) - http://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2021/12/catch-up-with-curmudgucation-icymi_19.html



Big Education Ape: THE TOP BANANA: TODAY'S EDUCATION HEADLINES Sunday, December 19, 2021 #REDFORED #tbats #edchat #K12 #learning #edtech #engchat #literacy #edreform #TEACHtheTRUTH #CRT - http://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2021/12/the-top-banana-todays-education_19.html

Big Education Ape: THE TOP BANANA: TODAY'S EDUCATION HEADLINES Saturday, December 18, 2021 #REDFORED #tbats #edchat #K12 #learning #edtech #engchat #literacy #edreform #TEACHtheTRUTH #CRT - https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2021/12/the-top-banana-todays-education_18.html
Big Education Ape: TOP POSTS THIS WEEK Saturday, December 18, 2021 #REDFORED #tbats #edchat #K12 #learning #edtech #engchat #literacy #edreform #TEACHtheTRUTH #CRT - https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2021/12/top-posts-this-week-saturday-december_18.html

Big Education Ape: THE TOP BANANA: TODAY'S EDUCATION HEADLINES Friday, December 10, 2021 #REDFORED #tbats #edchat #K12 #learning #edtech #engchat #literacy #edreform #TEACHtheTRUTH #CRT - http://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2021/12/the-top-banana-todays-education_10.html

Big Education Ape: KEEP UP/ CATCH UP WITH DIANE RAVITCH'S BLOG A site to discuss better education for all #REDFORED #tbats #edchat #K12 #learning #edleadership #edtech #engchat #literacy #edreform - http://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2021/12/keep-up-catch-up-with-diane-ravitchs_18.html

Big Education Ape: THIS WEEK IN EDUCATION Larry Ferlazzo's Websites of the Day... The latest news and resources in education since 2007 - http://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2021/12/this-week-in-education-larry-ferlazzos_18.html

Big Education Ape: THIS WEEK Education Research Report - http://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2021/12/this-week-education-research-report_18.html


Big Education Ape: THIS WEEK WITH NEWBLACKMAN (IN EXILE) #BLM #BLACKLIVESMATTER - http://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2021/12/this-week-with-newblackman-in-exile-blm_18.html

Big Education Ape: SSPI TONY THURMOND: STUFF THIS WEEK FROM THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION - http://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2021/12/sspi-tony-thurmond-stuff-this-week-from.html

Big Education Ape: TEACHER TOM THIS WEEK IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION - http://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2021/12/teacher-tom-this-week-in-early_18.html

Big Education Ape: THIS WEEK'S WILDNESS Dad Gone Wild Nobody reads it, everybody quotes it - http://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2021/12/this-weeks-wildness-dad-gone-wild_18.html

Big Education Ape: Network for Public Education Blog Post of the Day This Week #REDFORED #tbats #edchat #K12 #learning #edleadership #edtech #engchat #literacy #edreform - http://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2021/12/network-for-public-education-blog-post_18.html

Big Education Ape: THIS WEEK'S TENNESSEE EDUCATION REPORT - http://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2021/12/this-weeks-tennessee-education-report_18.html

Big Education Ape: KEEP UP/ CATCH UP WITH DIANE RAVITCH'S BLOG A site to discuss better education for all #REDFORED #tbats #edchat #K12 #learning #edleadership #edtech #engchat #literacy #edreform - http://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2021/12/keep-up-catch-up-with-diane-ravitchs_18.html

Big Education Ape: THE TOP BANANA: TODAY'S EDUCATION HEADLINES Saturday, December 11, 2021 #REDFORED #tbats #edchat #K12 #learning #edtech #engchat #literacy #edreform #TEACHtheTRUTH #CRT - https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2021/12/the-top-banana-todays-education_11.html

Big Education Ape: TOP POSTS THIS WEEK Saturday, December 11, 2021 #REDFORED #tbats #edchat #K12 #learning #edtech #engchat #literacy #edreform #TEACHtheTRUTH #CRT - https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2021/12/top-posts-this-week-saturday-december.html


Big Education Ape

HAPPY SOLSTICE EVERYONE: WINTER SOLSTICE 2021 | When Is the First Day of Winter? What Is the Winter Solstice? | The Old Farmer's Almanac

Winter Solstice 2021: When Is the First Day of Winter? What Is the Winter Solstice? | The Old Farmer's Almanac

WINTER SOLSTICE 2020: THE FIRST DAY OF WINTER
CELEBRATE THE WINTER SOLSTICE WITH FACTS, FOLKLORE, AND MORE



The winter solstice happens on Tuesday, December 21, 2021! This is the astronomical first day of winter in the Northern Hemisphere and the shortest day of the year. What happens at the winter solstice? Why is the solstice important? Enjoy solstice facts and folklore from The Old Farmer’s Almanac.

When Is the First Day of Winter?

The first day of winter in the Northern Hemisphere is marked by the winter solstice, which occurs on Tuesday, December 21, 2021, at 10:59 A.M. EST.

For the northern half of Earth (the Northern Hemisphere), the winter solstice occurs annually on December 21 or 22. (For the Southern Hemisphere, the winter solstice occurs on June 20 or 21.) The winter solstice is the day with the fewest hours of sunlight in the whole year, making it the “shortest day” of the year. Thankfully, after we reach the winter solstice, the days begin to once again grow longer and longer until we reach the summer solstice—the first day of summer and the longest day of the year.

Think of it this way: Although the winter solstice means the start of winter, it also means the return of more sunlight. It only gets brighter from here!

Winter Solstice Dates

Year Winter Solstice (Northern Hemisphere) Winter Solstice (Southern Hemisphere)
2021 Tuesday, December 21, at 10:59 A.M. EST Sunday, June 20*
2022 Wednesday, December 21, at 4:48 P.M. EST Tuesday, June 21
2023 Thursday, December 21, at 10:27 A.M. EST Wednesday, June 21 
2024 Saturday, December 21, at 4:19 A.M. EST Thursday, June 20

*Due to time zone differences, this solstice will technically occur on the next day in some regions.

What Is the Winter Solstice?

The winter solstice marks the official beginning of astronomical winter (as opposed to meteorological winter, which starts about three weeks prior to the solstice). The winter solstice occurs once a year in each hemisphere: once in the Northern Hemisphere (in December) and once in the Southern Hemisphere (in June). It marks the start of each hemisphere’s winter season. When one hemisphere is experiencing their winter solstice, the other is simultaneously experiencing their summer solstice!

This is all thanks to Earth’s tilted axis, which makes it so that one half of Earth is pointed away from the Sun and the other half is pointed towards it at the time of the solstice.

We often think of the winter solstice as an event that spans an entire calendar day, but the solstice actually lasts only a moment. Specifically, it’s the exact moment when a hemisphere is tilted as far away from the Sun as it can be. This is shown in the diagram below.

The solstices and equinoxes from the perspective of the Northern Hemisphere. Credit: NASA

The winter solstice holds significance across a variety of cultures, as it signals the changing of the seasons. Some ancient peoples even marked the solstice using huge stone structures, like Newgrange in Ireland. In some cultures, the solstice traditionally marked the midway point of the season rather than the start of it, which explains why holidays such as Midsummer Day are celebrated around the first day of summer.

What Happens on the Winter Solstice?

On the day of the winter solstice, we are tilted as far away from the Sun as possible, which means that the Sun’s path across the sky is as low in the sky as it can be. Think about the daily path of the Sun: It rises in the east and sets in the west, arcing across the sky overhead. During the summer, the Sun arcs high in the sky, but during the winter, it arcs lower, closer to the horizon.

How can we observe the effects of solstice ourselves? On the day of the solstice, stand outside at noon and look at your shadow. It’s the longest shadow that you’ll cast all year! Do this again on the day of the summer solstice and you’ll see almost no shadow.

The Sun’s Changing Path

Another way to think of this is that on the day of the solstice, the Sun’s path reaches its most southerly point in the sky. For those of us in the Northern Hemisphere, this means that the Sun’s path is as low in the sky as it can get—even at “high noon.” In the Southern Hemisphere, it’s the opposite: The Sun’s path will be high in the sky on the winter solstice—directly overhead at noon at the latitude called the Tropic of Capricorn, which is an imaginary line that circles the Earth, running through parts of South America, southern Africa, and Australia.

Winter forest sunset

The word solstice comes from Latin sol “sun” and sistere “to stand still.” So, loosely translated, it means “sun stand still.” Why? For a few days before and after the solstice, the Sun’s path across the sky appears to freeze. The change in its noontime elevation is so slight that the Sun’s path seems to stay the same, or stand still.

The day after the winter solstice, the Sun’s path begins to advance northward again, eventually reaching its most northerly point on the day of the summer solstice.

Then, as summer advances toward winter, the points on the horizon where the Sun rises and sets advance southward each day; the high point in the Sun’s daily path across the sky, which occurs at local noon, also moves southward each day. It’s a never-ending cycle!

→ Observe the changing day length in your area with our Sunrise and Sunset Times Calculator.

Summer Solstice

When we reach the summer solstice on June 20, 21, or 22, the Sun will reach its most northerly spot, directly overhead at the Tropic of Cancer (which runs through Mexico, northern Africa, and southern Asia). The summer solstice is the longest day of the year (the day with the most daylight hours) and marks the beginning of summer. Learn more about the summer solstice!

Equinoxes

You may also be familiar with the term “equinox.” In the spring (March) and the fall (September), the Sun’s path bring it directly above Earth’s equator. Equinox means “equal,” as day and night on the equinoxes are of roughly equal length.

See our SEASONS page for a diagram and dates of all seasons.

Snow tracks over mountain through trees

Common Questions About the Winter Solstice

The Winter Solstice is the shortest day of the year. Is it also the coldest?

The day of the winter solstice is the shortest day of the year, which means that it’s the day in which we experience the least amount of daylight. Logically, it would make sense to assume that this is also the coldest day of the year, since we are exposed to less warmth-giving sunlight on this day than at any other time. But this is not true.

There are a lot of factors that affect the temperature of a location on any given day, including altitude, snow cover, and large-scale weather patterns. Snow cover, for example, partially blocks solar radiation from being absorbed by the Earth, which results in less heat being released and an overall drop in temperature. Because of these factors, it’s not possible to point to the same date year after year and call it the coldest day.

In the United States, the coldest days of the year tend to occur between mid-December and late January, so while it’s certainly possible that the coldest day of the year could also be the day of the winter solstice, that’s not usually the case!

Winter sunset

Is the Winter Solstice really the start of winter?

There is not a black-and-white answer to this question—it depends on which definition of “winter” you follow:

  • Astronomical winter begins at the winter solstice and ends at the spring equinox. Astronomical seasons are based on the position of Earth in relation to the Sun. 
  • Meteorological winter (in the Northern Hemisphere) starts on December 1 and ends on February 28 (or 29). Meteorological seasons are based on the annual temperature cycle and climatological patterns observed on Earth.

Because an almanac is traditionally defined as a “calendar of the heavens,” we at The Old Farmer’s Almanac follow the astronomical definition of the seasons, which states that each of the four seasons starts on a solstice or equinox.

Learn more about the Reasons for the Seasons.

However, that doesn’t mean that the meteorological definition is incorrect. It is important for meteorologists to be able to compare climatological statistics for a particular season from one year to the next—for agriculture, commerce, and a variety of other purposes. Thus, meteorologists break the seasons down into groupings of three months. Meteorological winter starts on December 1 and includes December, January, and February.

Did you know? For the ancient Celts, the calendar was based around the solstices and equinoxes, marking the Quarter Days, with the mid-points called Cross-Quarter Days. Learn more about the Celtic calendar.

Ice crystals

Winter Solstice: Our Ancestors’ Customs and Traditions.

The solstice has been celebrated since ancient times by cultures around our planet. From the Roman feast of Saturnalia to the pre-Christian festival of Norse jól or Juul observed in Scandinavia, there are many ways our ancestors honored the first day of winter. Learn more about “Winter Solstice: Our Ancestors’ Customs and Traditions.”

Was Stonehenge Built to Celebrate the Winter Solstice?

One famous ancient marker is Stonehenge in England. Due to the alignment of the stones, experts acknowledge that the design appears to correspond with the solstices. One theory is that the area was used as a temple to worship the Sun and/or as a type of astronomical observatory. Read more about Ancient Sites Aligned with the Solstice and Equinox.

Winter Folklore and Verse

Here at the Almanac, we love our weather folklore. Here are just a few (of the many) proverbs that we have collected in our archives:

  • Deep snow in winter; tall grain in summer. —Estonian proverb
  • Visits should be short, like a winter’s day.
  • A fair day in winter is the mother of a storm. —English proverb
  • Summer comes with a bound; winter comes yawning.
  • Onion skins very thin, mild winter coming in. 

Read more winter weather folklore.

Spruce branches in snow

What Does Winter Mean to You?

Winter inspires both joy and woe. Some people can’t wait for the cooler weather, snow, skiing and ice skating, curling up by a fire, and the holiday spirit. You’ll notice a peaceful sort of silence when you walk through the woods—a muffled kind of quiet. 

Other people dislike the frigid temperatures, blizzards, and wild weather (for good reason). In colder regions, winter often means shoveling, snowblowing, dealing with bad roads, and sometimes unbearable temperatures. In warmer regions, the winter temperatures become very mild or cool, and places such as Florida fill up with people escaping the harshness of a northern winter.

What does winter mean to you? Let us know in the comments!

Winter Weather Forecast

    Brrrr! What about that winter weather? Colder temperatures are due to arrive soon (if they’re not here already). At The Old Farmer’s Almanac, we’ve been forecasting the weather since the days of George Washington—over 225 years ago—so we know a thing or two about making predictions.

    → Check out our 2022 Winter Weather Forecast to find out what sort of weather is in store for your area this season!

    For 12 months of weather forecasts and so much more, pick up a copy of The 2022 Old Farmer’s Almanac.

    Wishing our entire Almanac community a cozy, magical, safe, and beautiful winter season!