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The Forecast in Black and White and Brown

In Western North Carolina, woolly worms have a better track record as weather forecasters than most of their onscreen counterparts. High Country natives claim that for the past 30 winters, the fuzzy creature has been “all or mostly correct” 85 percent of the time.

The woolly worm, also known as the banded woolly bear, is the caterpillar stage of the Isabella tiger moth, Pyrrharctia Isabella, and is found throughout the United States. According to tradition, the 13 segments – or stripes – of the creature’s body correspond to the 13 weeks of winter; black stripes indicate cold, snowy weather and brown stripes predict mild conditions. (We should note that the scientific community disputes a connection between woolly worms and the weather – but then again, how many of them can claim an 85 percent accuracy record?)

Every fall the town of Banner Elk, N.C., holds a woolly worm race, and the winning invertebrate predicts the severity of the coming winter. This year’s winner, out of 1,400 contestants, was a speedy little fellow named Armstrong.

Weeks 1-4 • Cold and snowy
Weeks 5-6 • Cold
Weeks 7-8 • Cold with light snow*
Weeks 10-11 • Mild
Weeks 12-13 • Cold and snowy

*Week 9 is still “fuzzy” at this time.

So there you have it, ski fans. Relying on the area’s most dependable weather prophet, Ski Beech is gearing up for a nice, white season – compliments of Mother Nature (and highly efficient snow-making equipment).

Armstrong, bring it on!