By Chris Bradley

As a meteorologist, I am always excited about new technologies, new computer models and new ways to better predict the weather. But have valuable forecasting clues existed all around us even before satellites, radars and supercomputers? I thought it would be fun to share some weather folklore that may put all of our today's science to the test.

Signs of spring: The biggest question I'm hearing right now is whether or not we're done with winter and especially snow. I know the calendar says spring arrives this week, but is more cold and snow in our future? What can we learn from weather folklore?

First, have you heard the saying, "Three snows after the forsythia bloom?" There are plenty of folks here in Ohio that swear by this saying and this one seems to be true year after year.

Then there's the saying, "Frogs will look through ice, twice." This is supposed to remind us that there will be two more frosts after you hear frogs in the spring. And did Mother Nature give us clues about spring weather back in February? Turns out February fog means a frost in May. Then there's this this one, "Note on your calendar the first day you hear thunder or see lightning in spring ... count exactly six months ahead and you can predict the first frost or snow."

Planting time: For planting peas: "Plant peas on St. Patrick's Day for the blessing of the saint himself on your entire garden." When it comes to starting your corn: "One for the rook, one for the crow, one to rot, and one to grow."

And here's some folklore advice for when to plant beans: "Plant beans when the elm's leaves are as big as a penny."

As for rainy days ... here's a good one to remember: "Rain on Easter Sunday, and it will rain the next seven Sundays."

Weather where you live author Chris Bradley is chief meteorologist at WBNS-10TV, an affiliate ofThisWeek News.