Predictions for winter weather 2019-20

[Brian]

The last few winters have been quite mild, but I wonder if we're in for a chilly one?
The reason I ask is that I saw my first migrating cranes of the year - about 500 heading towards the sunny southwest. This is a good 3-4 weeks earlier than I've seen them in my previous 5 winters.

Any thoughts?

[Admiral]

Not sure about the timing of the cranes migration being a barometer of the coming weather.

My father - and his before him - always looked at the number of berries around in the autumn; holly, pyrocanthus etc.

If there were loads, so the old sages would have it, we're in for a cold winter.  If there are only a few then a mild winter is on the way.

Sooo....looking in the garden I would say the berry count is low and therefore....

There.  That's done it.  Six foot snow drifts etc etc on the way.