The air is crisp, the leaves are changing color, and fall is in full swing. However as people enjoy the weather outside, many are looking ahead to what winter will bring. Will it be mild or harsh? Will there be feet of snow or simply a light dusting? Well, one way folks have traditionally predicted the weather may surprise you: persimmon seeds.
According to The Old Farmer's Almanac, persimmon seeds can determine what a region's winter will be like. To try it at home, find a locally-grown persimmon (very important), wait until it's ripe, cut into it and retrieve the seeds. What comes next is the fun part.
Carefully cut the seed lengthwise and look at the root inside. There are typically three shapes that could appear — knife, fork, or spoon. What shape you see determines what the winter has in store for the region.
Based on the folklore, a spoon shape means there will be a lot of snow to shovel, a fork shape predicts a mild winter and light snow, and a knife means it will be a very cold winter with winds that "cut like a knife."
FOX 17 meteorologist Katy Morgan tried her hand at the trick on Facebook Live to see what weather may come to Nashville this winter. The seeds she opened showed two spoons and two knives, meaning it could be a frigid and snowy season. On the bright side, middle Tennessee may have a White Christmas after all.
Whether or not you believe persimmon seeds can predict the weather, it's a fun experiment using one of fall's favorite fruits. Try it today and keep track of this winter's weather — you may become a believer.
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