15 Signs Iowa Could Be In For A Harsh, Rough Winter This Year

PSL season may have just started but it's not too soon to look towards winter.

We deserve a calm winter after such a nasty active tornado season in Iowa. As of now, it looks like that might be what we're in for but we will likely see a lot of snow dumped on us at a specific point in January (more on that later).

So it's not super gloom and doom right now. But how cold are we talking really?

Probably cold enough that you'll make a lot of Crockpot chili in the coming months.

Ahead of all of this cold weather, Farmers' Almanac put out a list of signs that a winter will be particularly harsh. These are all according to 'weather lore' and are things that you will be able to spot in nature instead of a weather app.

15. Corn Husks Are Thicker Than Normal

Take notice as you're shucking corn.

14. There Are Really Big Spiderwebs

If spiders are spinning larger-than-normal webs and are coming into your house in greater numbers, that could also be a sign of a hard winter.

13. Ants Are Marching In A Line, Not Meandering

12. There Are A Ton Of Acorns

This is the sign that I knew and luckily (so far anyway) I haven't seen a lot of acorns so far this fall.

11. Halos Around The Moon And Sun

Obviously don't be driving around looking for this. But it is thought to be a forecast of a lot of snow.

10. Squirrels Are Really Active

Animals are really intuitive. If the squirrels in your backyard have been running around lately gathering nuts, it's a sign they're prepping for a hard winter.

9. High-Lofted Hornets' Nests

The saying goes: "see how high the hornet's nest, 'twill tell how high the snow will rest".

8. Pigs Gathering Sticks

7. Raccoons Have Thick Tails And Bright Bands

The trash pandas also give off signs that a difficult winter could be coming. Before you chase it out of your trash bin, take a quick look at it's tail.

6. It Gets Foggy In August

The lore says that the number of heavy fogs an area gets in August reflects how many snowstorms they'll get. If I remember right, the QCA had a couple of foggy days in August, but overall not a fog-fest all month.

5. The Monarch Butterflies Leave Early

4. So Do The Geese & Ducks

Has it been a minute since you've seen geese trotting around the QCA?

3. The Hair On The Nape Of A Cow's Neck Is Thick

2. Mice Are In Your House ASAP

We've talked about this. The little dudes want somewhere warm to park it for the winter.

1. Crickets

Not sure how many homes have a hearth these days, but if you hear crickets in your house, it's a sign of good luck but also a sign that winter could get rough.

The aforementioned snowstorm, by the way, is predicted to be January 20-23 and 24-27, but that's going to depend on where the system moves and all of that.