Hi folks, a while back, I wrote a post about what we might expect for the cold season here in Northern Ontario, but with all the signs pointing to a more intense winter than usual, I thought it was worth another look.
As the days get shorter and there’s more frost on the ground each morning, we know winter isn’t far off. Now, I could tell you what the weather folks are predicting, but if there’s one thing I’ve learned over the years, it’s that nature has a way of telling us what’s coming, long before we hear it on the news.
You just have to look around.
What the Animals Are Telling Us
I’ve been watching the squirrels this year, and let me tell you, they’re hustling like I haven’t seen in a while. They’re packing away food faster than ever, even those stubborn little chipmunks around my garden. In my experience, when the critters get busy like this, it usually means one thing: a cold, hard winter. Those little guys seem to know we’ll be getting our fair share of snow and cold, and they’re making sure they’re ready for it.
And the birds—well, they packed up and left pretty early this fall, in big groups, too. When the geese take off that fast, it’s nature’s way of saying, “Buckle up. Winter’s coming in full force.” They don’t wait around if they know it’s going to be tough here. If the birds are leaving early, we’d better start thinking about battening down the hatches ourselves.
Trees and Plants Giving Their Clues
The trees have a way of telling us what’s coming, too. The evergreens around here are as thick as I’ve seen them in a while, almost like they’re bundling up for what’s ahead. And if you look closely, some of the older trees have rougher bark this year, which isn’t something I take lightly. It’s like the trees themselves are putting on another layer to protect against the cold.
Even the maple and oak leaves seem to be hanging on longer this fall. It’s like they know they’ll be buried under a heavy load of snow before too long, and they’re taking their time letting go.
Early Frost and Heavy Dew – Cold Signs All Around
I’ll tell you, we had some pretty thick frost early on this year. That frost isn’t just pretty to look at; it’s a warning that the ground’s cooling off quicker than usual. When that happens, it usually means we’re in for a deeper freeze come winter. And the morning dew has been heavier than normal too—nature’s way of saying there’s more moisture in the air, which probably means more snow.
What We Can Expect
So, here’s my take, based on what nature’s telling me: get ready for a good, old-fashioned Northern Ontario winter. We’re probably looking at colder temperatures, maybe even a few long stretches of real bitter cold, and more snow than we’ve seen in a while. It’ll be one of those winters where we’ll all have to keep the shovels handy and make sure the woodpile’s well stocked.
If you ask me, here’s what to do:
- Get Ready Now: Follow the squirrels’ lead—get your supplies together, stock the pantry, and have a backup plan for those cold snaps.
- Check the House: Make sure the place is sealed up tight. Cold drafts have a way of sneaking in during winters like the one that seems to be headed our way.
- Embrace It: Winters like this can make for some good stories by the fire, so let’s enjoy what’s coming our way.
So, if you’ve got a gut feeling this winter’s going to be one for the books, you’re probably right. Nature’s been giving us the signs for months now, and they’re hard to ignore. Here’s to a season of braving the cold, watching the snow fall, and making the most of these long winter days here in the north.
Stay warm, everyone! And don’t sell them Snowmobiles just yet. GW