This post examines the January 4–6 snow and ice storm that crippled the St. Louis region and explores how traditional natural indicators—like acorn abundance, corn husk thickness, and animal behavior—can complement modern forecasting.
Drawing on reflections from Dan Zarlenga of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources and 30 years of field experience, I explain what made this storm so destructive, review common folk signs of harsh winters, and offer practical guidance on combining these cues with scientific forecasts for better preparedness.
The January 4–6 St. Louis Storm: What Happened and Why It Mattered
The multi-day system dumped between four and twelve inches of snow across the St. Louis area, with up to half an inch of sleet and freezing rain layered on top.
Those layers, frozen by extremely low temperatures, turned the snowpack into an almost concrete-like crust that made travel and cleanup unusually difficult.
Immediate impacts and cascading problems
Power outages, school and business closures, and treacherous travel conditions persisted for days and, in some neighborhoods, weeks.
When freezing rain and sleet glaze roads and down power lines, the combination of heavy ice weight and subzero temperatures can prolong recovery times, strain utility crews, and amplify risks for residents who are isolated or dependent on continuous power for medical equipment.
Why the icy mix hardened so quickly
Freezing rain forms a glaze of clear ice when raindrops freeze on contact with cold surfaces; sleet freezes into pellets that create a dense layer.
When followed by a prolonged drop in temperature, the entire mass can bind together, producing a load that becomes nearly rock-hard.
From an operational standpoint, that’s a worst-case scenario for road crews, emergency responders, and infrastructure managers.
Natural signals of coming winters: folklore meets science
Dan Zarlenga points out an age-old practice: observing nature for clues about the upcoming season.
While these signs are not a replacement for meteorology, they often reflect ecological responses to environmental conditions that recent winters have made more pronounced.
Common natural indicators cited by conservation and rural communities include:
How to use these cues responsibly
Treat natural indicators as supplementary data, not definitive forecasts.
Animals and plants respond to local conditions—soil moisture, temperature trends, and food availability—so their signals can be regionally informative.
Combine these observations with official forecasts from the National Weather Service and local emergency advisories for a balanced, practical approach.
Practical takeaways for readers
From my three decades of observing weather impacts, I recommend these steps:
Here is the source article for this story: Using natural signals to predict severe weather