Note: Karli Ritter, FOX 4 meteorologist, originally posted this in September 2014, but it still applies today!
It’s that time of the year, fall is here and people are getting their first taste of cooler weather. With the reminder that snow, ice and bitterly cold air isn’t too far away, I start getting asked what my thoughts are on the upcoming winter. While I do certainly look at several meteorological websites, air and sea temperatures and overall weather patterns, I always find myself looking at two other pretty accurate “sources.” What I like most about these two sources are that they come from you, the viewer, and they are 100 percent local! One is the persimmon seed, the other is the wooly worm!
Oh, the wooly worm! I was introduced to these fuzzy little creatures shortly after moving to Kansas City in 2007. Since then I’ve kept track of their “predictions,” and I must say these little worms have a pretty good track record. From what I understand, the fuzzier they are coincides with some bitterly cold air expected for winter (think fuzzy, warm coats to keep you warm with the cold air in place). I have also learned the color of that fuzz is very important! Brown/reddish colors signal a milder winter where the black fuzz signals a colder winter. A few years ago I also found out about the white wooly worms! Did you know that white fuzz means blizzard?! And wouldn’t you know, we did have blizzard conditions a couple of times since I’ve moved to Kansas City (which happened to coincide with the years people saw white, fuzzy worms).
So what does this all mean? It means that as much stock as I put in the weather patterns, I find it hard to ignore the wooly worms “prediction” they produce with their ‘coats’ each year. They are local “sources” who know how to prepare for the upcoming seasons. With that being said, please upload pictures of the wooly worms in your neighborhood. Although, if they are all black or all white, maybe don’t keep them to yourself! Ignorance is bliss, right?!
Upload your photos to the gallery below.
Found in Lake Lure NC 
Location Morristown TN September 27, 2016 
There were two like this, kind of light brown 
Wooly worm on my porch As white as white can be Will this winter be a blizzard! We will just have to wait and see! 
Snow white woolly worm 
It is the same species as the black and brown, similar larvae of other tiger moths by the uniform length of all of their bristles 
SO WHAT DOES IT MEAN? 
Found October 25, 2014 
Found in Olathe, KS 
Woolly bear worm photographed Oct. 10, 2014 near Waldo, Wis. 
Blue Springs, MO 
Found this guy hanging out next to a beer vendor at the Royals Game. 
http://nxstrib-com-staging.go-vip.net/wdaf/2014/09/26/pictures-your-wooly-worms-predict-winter-forecast/ 
kansas city wooly warm 
This little guy was found in Columbia, MO today. 
Near Alexandria, MN this week 
Found on a rug hanging over my front porch. Had never seen a white one before this. 
Mr. Wooly Worm hanging out in Blue Springs. 
I found this very large specimen near my home. 
I found this very large specimen near my home. 
Found another one just like it two nights later, same size stripe. 
Wooly Bear on my deck in Zeeland, Michigan. I also have watched them and they have been correct. Last year it was totally Black and we had an awful winter. I try to tell people, but no one believes me. 
taken about three weeks ago in the morning on the way to the bus stop :-) 
Dark colored wooly worm, in Camden, MO 
Two on my garage. Not sure which one to believe. 
Prescott, KS 
from Council Groves, KS on a hike 
I found this very large specimen near my home. 
I walked out to find this little guy on my sidewalk. 
We have seen a lot of woolies of all colors on our land in Oak Grove, Missouri, Suzy McGarrah 
We have seen a lot of woolies of all colors on our land in Oak Grove, Missouri, Suzy McGarrah 
Wyandotte County, KS 2014 Wooly Worm. Found at the base of my back steps. Left him alone because it looked like he was on a mission ;) 
My Son Tyler Pennington found this wooly worm at his grandparents farm. Light brown in color. I think I like this worms prediction for winter! Carrie Pennington 
We found this in Edwardsville, KS on 9/2/14. It was HUGE. 
Greenwood Mo Wolly Worm 
When the first wooley worm is spotted I let my daughter know her birthday is near as it is the 28th of September. Now I will share this tradition with the grandkids. 
Nancy Aldrich/Prairie Village 
Found on mums purchased a couple of weeks ago from a local mum farm! 
Winter coming! 
I saw two, one as white and wooly as can be, the other was a little more off white 
The view from my back deck.
