Black land vehicle standing on winter road Antikainen loading...We're in the 'waiting for winter' phase of the year. The Old Farmer's Almanac and the Farmer's Almanac are both out with their predictions, but they're not always the most accurate. While, yes there is one sign that's based on folklore on this list, the rest of them can be true signs a harsh winter may be on the way. Watch the ants and keep an eye on corn husks...13 Ways Nature Predicts a Harsh Winter in Minnesota Nature is pretty amazing and can do some strange stuff that sometimes we don't totally understand. Some of those crazy things are ways that nature can predict there will be a harsh winter for us in Minnesota.