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In Banner Elk, a winning woolly worm makes winter weather predictions

According to local legend, these worms can predict winter weather. Image courtesy of Molly Davis.

Since 1978, a festival in North Carolina's High Country has touted being able to predict the severity of winter weather.

And it all comes down to a winning worm.

The Woolly Worm Festival has been giving Groundhog Day a run for its money for decades. According to local lore, the 13 bands of the woolly bear caterpillar line up with the 13 weeks of winter. 

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Woolly Worm Festival Dude Jason DeWitt. Image Courtesy of Jason DeWitt.

Races — which are four feet long and run from 30 seconds to a minute and a half — are held to determine which insect gets the forecasting honor. Legend says that brown bands mean a mild week, and black bands indicate cold and snowy weather.

Jason DeWitt, the master of ceremonies who calls himself the festival's “Dude,” says woolly worms have a better track record than the more famous Punxsutawney Phil.

“Now what they're doing is they're running to find a place to hide for the winter,” says DeWitt. “So we take advantage of that urge to run fast. And oddly enough, the winner of the final race is 87.5 percent accurate for the prediction of the winter. We think it's much better than a groundhog.”

The Woolly Worm Festival takes place October 16-17 in Banner Elk, N.C.

 

 

 

Eddie Garcia is WFDD’s News Director. He is responsible for planning coverage, editing stories, and leading an award-winning news team as it serves the station’s 32-county listening area. He joined WFDD as an audio production intern in 2007 and went on to hold various roles, including producer, Triad Arts Weekend co-host, reporter, and managing editor. When he’s not working, Eddie enjoys spending time with his family, playing guitar, and watching films.

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