5 Weather Lores for August

We had fog along the West hills of town this morning. We also had a nice rainstorm yesterday that cooled things off and brought some nice moisture to add some relief to our hot, dry summer weather. The fog reminded me of weather lore about the fog it gets me anxious for fall and cooler weather.

August brings relief to summer. The kids start preparing to go back to school. August also brings the beginning of harvest time, canning season and the excitement of fresh produce to eat from the garden.

“Whilst August yet wears her golden crown,
    Ripening fields lush- bright with promise;
Summer waxes long, then wanes, quietly passing
    Her fading green glory on to riotous Autumn.”
–  Michelle L. Thieme, August’s Crown 

In case you’ve missed my previous posts about the weather, lore is “The body of knowledge, especially of a traditional, anecdotal, or popular nature of a popular subject, typically passed from person to person by word of mouth.”

My monthly Weather Lore post is something fun that gives me a moment to pause and reflect on all I have been taught. It is a symbol of beginning for me. The beginning of a new month and the beginning of new goals as well as a fun walk down memory lane to my earlier years where I learned to value nature and enjoy this beautiful earth and all the wonder it beholds.

Most of all August makes me think about berries. My great-grandfather grew dozens of berry bushes and I loved going to his house to pick and eat them with him. I was just a little girl of 5 when he gave me my very own berry bowl. It was a small brown bowl that was just my size. I remember picking berries and filling it as full as I could and carefully carrying it to find a spot to sit and enjoy my harvest. This quote by Henry David Thoreau reminds me of that time

“In August, the large masses of berries, which, when in flower, had attracted many wild bees, gradually assumed their bright velvety crimson hue, and by their weight again bent down and broke their tender limbs.”
–  Henry David Thoreau

So, here’s some traditional folklore for August, does it ring true for you?

• For every fog in August, there will a snowfall the following winter. Thanks to the fog this morning maybe I can hope for a white Christmas?
• If the first week of August is unusually warm, the coming winter will be snowy and long- be warned
• If a cold August follows a hot July, it foretells a winter that is hard and dry
• If August 24 is misty with frost in the morning, a cold winter forecast is the warning
• If it rains in August, it rains honey and wine

Here is a little poem for the month of August as well:

“August rushes by like desert rainfall,
A flood of frenzied upheaval,
Expected,
But still catching me unprepared.
Like a match flame
Bursting on the scene,
Heat and haze of crimson sunsets.
Like a dream
Of moon and dark barely recalled,
A moment,
Shadows caught in a blink.
Like a quick kiss;
One wishes for more
But it suddenly turns to leave,
Dragging summer away.”
–  Elizabeth Maua Taylor 

I hope August brings you a month of happiness and joy. I’d love for you to share your folklore as well. Feel free to comment below, or share with us on Facebook

Happy August!