“The five winters in Tennessee” is a traditional expression for five cold spells that some people expect after the first signs of spring. It is folklore, not an official weather forecast or a scientifically fixed calendar. This guide explains the names commonly used, how the saying is understood, and how to plan safely for Tennessee’s changeable late-winter and spring weather. You do not need special equipment to understand the saying, but check a current forecast before making weather-related decisions.
What You’ll Need
- A current forecast from the National Weather Service or another reputable weather provider, if you are planning travel, gardening, or outdoor work.
- Your local area or county: conditions can differ considerably between the mountains, Middle Tennessee, and the western part of the state.
- A little caution about folklore: there is no single, officially standardized list of five winters.
Step-by-Step
- Understand what the saying means. In Tennessee, “five winters” generally refers to the idea that winter makes several returns after mild weather or early spring warmth. A cold snap can bring freezing temperatures, frost, or even snow after people have started expecting spring. The saying is a way of describing that pattern, not a claim that exactly five cold spells will occur every year.
- Know that the names vary. Lists shared in conversation, newspapers, or online may attach different names to the supposed cold spells. A commonly circulated version includes the “Redbud Winter,” associated with redbud trees blooming; “Dogwood Winter,” linked with blooming dogwoods; “Locust Winter,” associated with the flowering of black locust trees; and “ Blackberry Winter,” traditionally linked to blackberry blossoms. Some versions add “Whippoorwill Winter,” connected with the bird’s seasonal arrival or call. Other lists use different names or count the spells differently.
- Recognize that these are seasonal nicknames, not dates. The labels refer loosely to events in nature that people noticed in particular places and years. They do not come with agreed start and end dates, and the trees or birds may not show up at the same time across Tennessee. Elevation, local climate, and the timing of the season all matter. Treat a named winter as a memorable description of a chill, not a scheduled event.
- Separate the saying from the weather forecast. A traditional list cannot tell you whether a frost, freeze, or snowstorm is coming. Check the forecast for your town or county and pay attention to the overnight low, the chance of precipitation, and any frost or freeze alerts. A mild afternoon does not rule out a damaging overnight freeze.
- Use the forecast to protect plants. If you have tender seedlings or newly planted flowers, find out whether temperatures are expected to reach freezing and follow local gardening guidance. Cover vulnerable plants before temperatures drop, using breathable fabric where appropriate, and secure it so it does not blow away. Remove covers when conditions allow. Do not assume a plant is safe because a folklore name has not appeared—or that it is at risk because someone says a named winter is due.
- Prepare for changing road conditions. If cold rain, snow, or ice is forecast, check road reports and allow extra travel time. Tennessee’s hills, bridges, and shaded road sections can become slick even when nearby pavement looks clear. Carry suitable cold-weather clothing and avoid driving through flooded roadways; never assume a familiar route will be safe during a sudden weather change.
- Explain the saying accurately. If someone asks what the five winters are, say that it is a regional folk tradition with varying lists. You can mention the familiar plant- and wildlife-related names, while making clear that the count and names are not universal. That gives the saying its cultural context without presenting it as meteorology.
Common Mistakes
- Assuming every list is the same. The expression is passed along informally, so sources may include different names or count cold spells differently. There is no authoritative statewide roster.
- Treating the names as a forecast. Flowers, bird calls, or a date on a folk calendar cannot reliably predict a freeze. Use current, location-specific weather information instead.
- Assuming the whole state has one climate. East Tennessee’s higher elevations, the Nashville area, and western Tennessee can have different temperatures and precipitation at the same time.
- Thinking “winter” means snow. In this saying, a winter can simply mean a chilly spell. Snow is not required, and some years may have little or no snow during the periods people call by these names.
- Taking a plant’s bloom as a precise calendar. Bloom times shift from year to year and vary by location. A redbud or dogwood bloom does not establish when the next freeze will happen.
Tips
- Look for National Weather Service watches, warnings, and advisories for the county where you will be. An alert is more useful than a statewide generalization.
- Check the overnight low, not just the daytime high, when deciding whether to protect plants or plan an early-morning outing.
- Ask older relatives or neighbors what names they grew up hearing. The differences are part of the tradition, and local usage may not match a list from elsewhere.
- For gardening, use frost dates and plant-specific cold tolerance as planning aids, but do not treat average dates as guarantees. A forecasted freeze can still require action.
- When sharing the saying, describe it as folklore or a regional expression. That keeps a charming bit of local language from being confused with a formal weather rule.
Troubleshooting
You find a list with different names: That is normal. There is no official five-item list. Compare the source’s explanation, and present its names as one version rather than the definitive Tennessee list.
Someone says a named winter guarantees a freeze: Explain that the name is traditional, not predictive. Check the local forecast and any frost or freeze alert before taking action.
Your forecast changes overnight: Weather forecasts can be updated as conditions develop. Recheck before travel or outdoor work, especially when temperatures are near freezing, and follow emergency guidance if a warning is issued.
Your area is warmer or colder than the forecast suggests: Forecasts describe an area and conditions can vary by elevation, neighborhood, and exposure. Check a nearby observation when available, but do not use one reading to dismiss an official warning.
You are unsure whether a plant needs covering: Check the plant’s cold tolerance and local extension-service advice. If a damaging freeze is forecast, take precautions suited to the plant rather than relying on a seasonal nickname.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the five winters in Tennessee?
It is a folk expression for cold spells that may return during the transition from winter to spring. Lists vary; names often mentioned include Redbud, Dogwood, Locust, Blackberry, and Whippoorwill Winter.
Are the five winters an official Tennessee weather pattern?
No. The saying is folklore, not an official climate category or a fixed scientific sequence. Weather agencies do not forecast a set of five named cold spells.
When do the five winters happen?
There are no agreed dates. The names are loosely tied to seasonal blooms or wildlife, whose timing changes by year and location. Cold snaps can happen outside the periods associated with those names.
Does every year have all five winters?
No. The saying does not guarantee five distinct cold spells, and people may disagree about how many have occurred. Some years have a late freeze; others do not follow the expected pattern.
Can the five winters predict the last frost?
No. Use local frost guidance and current forecasts instead. Gardeners should consider both a plant’s tolerance and the actual expected overnight temperature.
Is Blackberry Winter unique to Tennessee?
No. The phrase is used in parts of the American South and elsewhere, with local variations. Its meaning and timing are not identical everywhere.