Explore traditional New Year’s weather sayings—from onion forecasts to wind lore—and see what they predict for the year ahead.
As the clock strikes midnight and confetti fills the air, many of us are busy dreaming up resolutions—but here at The Old Farmer’s Almanac, we’re watching the weather! Long before satellites and radar, folks relied on New Year’s Eve traditions to predict what the coming year would bring. From reading the wind to slicing onions, discover how age-old weather folklore might forecast your year ahead.
New Year’s Weather Folklore
In particular, weather folklore often looks to the wind. Try this. Step outside as the sun sets on New Year’s Eve. Feel the wind and recite:
If New Year’s Eve the wind blows south
It betokens warmth and growth.
If west, much milk and fish in the sea.
If north, cold and storms there will be.
If east, the trees will bear much fruit.
If north east, then flee it, man and brute.
Then throw your New Year wishes to the wind!
Others believed the time to check out the wind was at sunrise on New Year’s Day, but it would be hard to wake up at dawn if you had any fun the night before!
(If you forgot to check the wind, don’t worry.)
First 12 Days of January
Some believe that the first 12 days of January can predict the weather for the entire year!
So, the weather on the first, good or bad, will reflect how January will feel. The second day forecasts February, the third forecasts March, and so on.
You may have also heard: If there is thunder in January, it will snow seven days later. And fog in January brings a wet spring.
Forecasting by the Onion
My favorite method for predicting the weather for the year is the onion method: Get twelve onions. From 11:00 p.m. to midnight on New Year’s Eve, remove the tops and create a hollow in the middle.
Get out your compass and line the onions in an east-west orientation. Place an equal amount of salt in each depression. (Then, explain to your fellow partiers why you smell like an onion!)
Don’t look at the vegetables until the next morning. The salt has dissolved to varying degrees in each onion. The more water in each onion, the wetter the corresponding month will be in the coming year. After this, carefully add potatoes and other root veggies, rub with olive oil and spices, and bake.
Whether the onions are right or wrong, you’ll have a lovely New Year’s Day feast of roasted veggies.
New Year’s Weather Folklore Predictions Chart
Discover Time-Honored Traditions for Forecasting the Year Ahead
Long before modern meteorology, people relied on nature—and a bit of superstition—to predict the weather. From checking the wind on New Year’s Eve to slicing onions to foresee rainfall, these charming traditions connect us to centuries of folklore. Whether you’re curious, nostalgic, or just love a good experiment, try one of these classic New Year’s weather-predicting methods and see if they ring true!
| Folklore Method | How It’s Done | What It Predicts |
|---|---|---|
| Wind on New Year’s Eve | Step outside at sunset and feel which direction the wind blows. | South wind means warmth and growth; west brings fish and milk; north brings storms; east foretells fruit; northeast warns trouble. |
| Wind on New Year’s Day Morning | Observe the wind direction at sunrise on January 1. | Predicts the dominant weather pattern for the coming year. |
| First 12 Days of January | Record the weather from January 1–12. | Each day represents the weather for one month of the new year. |
| Thunder in January | Note if there’s thunder in the first month. | Folklore says snow will arrive seven days later. |
| Fog in January | Keep an eye out for fog during the month. | Folklore claims it signals a wet spring. |
| Onion Weather Method | Cut 12 onions, fill each with salt, and leave overnight. | The wetter the onion by morning, the wetter that month will be. |
| Roasted Veggie Tradition | Bake the onions and root veggies after reading them. | A symbolic act to start the year with warmth, food, and good fortune. |
But Do They Really Work?
Oddly enough, the majority of weather superstitions cited here do have a scientific basis in fact. But that doesn’t mean their accuracy rates are much to boast about… However, if they didn’t work at all, people wouldn’t have repeated and remembered them for so long.
Of course, you can also check this year’s Almanac forecast as a “human” point of reference. See our extended weather forecasts—or pick up a copy of The 2025 Old Farmer’s Almanac for more!
More Weather Folklore
Looking for more winter weather folklore? Check out:
More Like This
Good question! Unfortunately, the above weather lore does not address that scenario. However, there is another proverb that says (for any date) "No weather is ill, / If the wind be still."
- « Previous
- 1
- 2
- …
- 10
- Next »
Comments