Persimmon Prediction: What Kind of Winter Weather Will Kentucky Have in 2024

It may not be fall just yet, but we are already holding our breath in anticipation of what winter will hold for us. Fortunately, thanks to one old wives tale, we may have a sneak peek.

Winter is Coming

For now, the days are still warm but there is a crisp, coolness to the air in the morning and evening hours. It is that time of year when here in the Midwest we start bracing for the inevitable cold that will wash over us as the days get shorter and the nights get longer. It is also the time of year when all of the cold-weather predictions start to roll in.

Old Wives Tails About the Weather

Having grown up in a small rural farming community, I learned about all kinds of ways to predict the weather. Whether it was rings around the moon, a red sky, or wooly worms, it seems my elders growing up knew just how to predict what to expect from Mother Nature.

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Persimmons Predict the Winter Weather

One of the most talked about predictors for winter was always the persimmon seeds. If you're unfamiliar, a persimmon is a type of fruit that grows across parts of the United States. It bears a sweet, orange fruit, but it is the seeds of the persimmon that, when cut in half, can, according to some, predict the weather.

READ MORE: La Niña Could Impact Winter Weather in the Area

It's What's on the Inside that Matters

When cutting a persimmon seed in half, it is what is on the inside that matters. According to the Old Farmers' Almanac, it is important to use a persimmon that has been grown locally.

Cut the Fruit - Then Cut the Seed

Once you cut into the fruit of the persimmon, you will want to locate the seed and cut it in half too. This is where the winter prediction will be revealed. Inside the seed, the kernel will have formed one of three shapes - one that looks like a spoon, one that looks like a fork, or one that looks like a knife.

READ MORE: Here's How Corn Can Predict Winter Weather

Spoons, Forks, and Knives... Oh My!

According to my elders, and the Old Farmers' Almanac, if the kernel is shaped like a fork it will be a mild winter and any snow that falls will be dry and powdery. The knife means that the winter will be bitterly cold, the kind that will cut right through. If the kernel looks like a spoon, it means you should get your snow shovel ready and expect copious amounts of snow.

READ MORE: When To Expect the First Frost of 2024

Local Persimmons Reporting for Duty

Recently, I spotted a Facebook posts about the results of cutting into persimmon seeds. The photo (pictured above) came from Lake Cumberland State Resort Park in Kentucky where they said,

Drum roll please……

We had a split verdict FORK & SPOON?!?!

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Fingers crossed for a mild winter with 1 to 2 good snows

Will we be seeing a lot of snow for winter 2024-2025 in Kentucky? It seems we certainly might. The Old Farmers' Almanac is also predicting a lot of snow and says we'll see a "winter wonderland." Regardless of the predictions, it is always a good idea to be prepared. Check out our list of ten essentials to keep in your car during the winter months.