In Adams TN tradition, the Bell Witch haunting peaks near the spring + fall equinoxes.

Foxfire + Appalachian folk almanac tradition (pre-1928 sources, public domain)

A late cold snap in May when blackberries bloom. Usually the last cold of spring.

Foxfire + Appalachian folk almanac tradition (pre-1928 sources, public domain)

Jul 3 – Aug 11. Named for the heliacal rising of Sirius (the Dog Star). Traditional season of laziness + sluggish water in wells.

Foxfire + Appalachian folk almanac tradition

A cold snap in late April or early May, traditionally when dogwoods are in bloom. A KY ridge-folk warning: don't plant your full garden too early — Dogwood Winter is coming.

Foxfire + Appalachian folk almanac tradition (pre-1928 sources, public domain)

Two weeks of calm weather around the winter solstice. Named for the mythological halcyon bird that nested on calm seas at solstice.

Foxfire + Appalachian folk almanac tradition

A stretch of warm, dry weather after the first hard frost — typically late October/early November.

Foxfire + Appalachian folk almanac tradition (pre-1928 sources, public domain)

Aug 1 — old Celtic first-harvest celebration, surviving in Appalachian "Lammas-tide" weather lore.

Foxfire + Appalachian folk almanac tradition (pre-1928 sources, public domain)

A late spring cold snap when black locust trees bloom, usually late May.

Foxfire + Appalachian folk almanac tradition

Jan 6 was Christmas on the Julian calendar. Appalachian families historically held second celebrations. Said that animals speak at midnight.

Foxfire + Appalachian folk almanac tradition (pre-1928 sources, public domain)

Sarvis-berry blooming means the ground is workable + ready to plant peas. Old KY mountain farmer's rule.

Foxfire + Appalachian folk almanac tradition

A short cold snap in October before Indian Summer (older Appalachian term; modern usage avoids it).

Foxfire + Appalachian folk almanac tradition (pre-1928 sources, public domain)

A warm spell in mid-November (around St. Martin's day, Nov 11). Older European version of Indian Summer.

Foxfire + Appalachian folk almanac tradition

A brief cold spell when you first hear the whippoorwill. Less common than Dogwood/Blackberry but still talked about.

Foxfire + Appalachian folk almanac tradition