Parts of the Ozarks had a morning wake-up call with claps of thunder and lightning. While crazy weather is something we expect in southwest Missouri and northwest Arkansas, thunder and lightning on a February morning isn’t exactly the norm.
Of course, old timers have a saying for all types of weather conditions. There are two I have found for stormy weather in February.
If it thunders in February, there will be a frost on the same day in April.
If this holds true, we can expect a frost on April 16th, which is close to when we see the last frost of the spring season. The last frost date is usually around April 10th. The same old wives tale exists with the month of May, when it thunders in February, there will be a frost on the same day in April.
For every thunder with rain in February, there will be a cold spell in May.
The rain was heavy moving through Springfield this morning. If this rings true, have the jackets handy in May.
While weather folklore and old wives tales are fun ways to examine the weather, they need to be taken with a grain of salt. Some hold tried and true wisdom, being passed down from generation to generation. Thankfully, science has improved the ability to forecast and predict weather.