* Woolly Worm Predicts Cold and Snowy Winter *

Last weekend, Banner Elk hosted the 35th Annual Woolly Worm Festival under beautiful Carolina blue skies. Large crowds came out to participate in the annual race, where the winner predicts our  weather for the upcoming winter months. 

The woolly worm, a black and brown, fuzzy moth caterpillar, has a body with 13 segments. This is the same number of weeks in our winter season. Harsh winters are associated with the black coloring on the worm, and brown represents a milder season.

This years fastest worm, Lickety-Split, predicted an above average winter for snow fall for the High Country! Below is the prediction for the 2012-2013 winter...

• Beginning December 22, winter will open with 4 weeks of cold, snowy weather
• Week 5, will offer light snow and cooler temperatures
• Weeks 6-11 will bring normal temperatures
• Week 12 will be unusual with an ice storm possible
• The final week of winter, 13, will be cold and snowy