Could This Michigan Lore Mean We’re In For A Snowy Winter?

I know this might sound a little crazy, but honestly, what kind of lore doesn’t have a hint of the unbelievable? There's this lore about wasps and cooler weather, and I was genuinely shocked when I learned about it.

I mean, who would've thought there was a connection? It's the kind of thing you hear and think, "Wait, is that for real?" But apparently, it’s a thing. Have you heard of this before?

Do Wasps Predict Snowy Weather in Michigan?

Call me crazy—or just call the lore crazy—but there’s this lore out there that says wasps can actually predict how much snow we’ll get in the winter.

I had no idea about this until a coworker and I started talking about all the wasp nests we’ve been seeing lately. I mean, they’re everywhere! In cars, at our transmitter sites, around the building—it's like they’ve taken over this year.

Michigan's Most Painful Sting

Then my coworker hit me with this wild lore about how wasps can supposedly predict the amount of snow we'll get based on where they build their nests. I had no clue this was even a thing!

Ralph Haines - Broadcast Engineer Services

They say you can predict the winter by looking at where wasps build their nests. If the nest is low to the ground, there won’t be much snow. But if it's built high, expect a lot of snow. There's even an official rhyme for it: "See how high the hornet’s nest, 'twill tell how high the snow will rest."

I've seen a lot of nests up high... does that mean we're in for it?

Earliest First Snowfall Dates for Michigan Cities

Snow doesn't typically begin to pile-up in most of Michigan until November or December, but not all years are typical. Here's a look at the earliest snowfall ever recorded for several Michigan cities, according to ExtremeWeatherWatch.com.