Weather proverbs
CSENPrší-li na svatého Petra a Pavla, bude mokrá žeň.
Rain on 29 June was read as a wet harvest — trouble for bringing in the grain.
01January
„Na Nový rok o slepičí krok.“
After New Year the day grows longer, but only by a tiny step at first.
„Leden studený, duben zelený.“
A properly cold January is taken as a sign of a green, lush April.
„Je-li teplo v lednu, sahá bída ke dnu.“
A mild January was read as an omen of a poor year for crops and stores.
02February
„Na Hromnice o hodinu více.“
By Candlemas (2 Feb) the day is noticeably longer — about an hour since the solstice.
„Únor bílý, pole sílí.“
February snow holds moisture and frost breaks up the soil — the fields gain strength.
„Na svatého Matěje ledy láme, nemá-li je, nadělá je.“
Around 24 Feb the ice usually breaks — or, if there is none yet, a late frost still makes some.
03March
„Březen, za kamna vlezem.“
March can still be cold and fickle — better to stay warm by the stove.
„Na svatého Řehoře čáp letí přes moře, žába hubu otevře.“
Around 12 March the storks return and the frogs find their voice — spring is arriving.
„Březnového prachu za zlatý peníz.“
A dry, dusty March is worth its weight in gold for sowing.
04April
„Duben, ještě tam budem.“
The sequel to the March saying — April can still keep you by the stove.
„Na svatého Jiří vylézají hadi a štíři.“
By 24 April the ground is warm enough that creatures stir — the growing season begins.
„Studený duben, hojnost ovoce.“
A cool April delays blossom past the frosts, so the fruit harvest tends to be richer.
05May
„Studený máj, v stodole ráj.“
A cold, damp May suits the grain — it promises a full barn at harvest.
„Pankrác, Servác, Bonifác — ledoví muži, spalují mrazem ovoce i růži.“
The "Ice Saints" (12–14 May) bring the last spring frosts — a threat to blossom.
„Svatá Žofie políčka zalije.“
"Frozen Žofie" (15 May) closes the Ice Saints — typically cold and wet.
06JuneNow
„Medardova kapka čtyřicet dní kape.“
If it rains on St Medard (8 June), the lore says forty wet days will follow.
„Na svatého Jana otevírá se léto brána.“
St John's Eve (24 June) falls by the solstice — the height of summer, the shortest nights.
„Prší-li na svatého Petra a Pavla, bude mokrá žeň.“
Rain on 29 June was read as a wet harvest — trouble for bringing in the grain.
june 29 · Petr a Pavel
07July
„Svatá Markéta hodila srp do žita.“
Around 13 July the harvest usually begins — the grain has ripened.
„Svatá Anna — chladna z rána.“
After St Anne (26 July) the mornings turn noticeably cooler — summer is turning.
„Co červenec neuvaří, srpen nedopeče.“
What July's heat doesn't ripen, August won't finish — the peak of ripening is now.
08August
„Když prší na Vavřince, pršívá ještě šest neděl.“
Rain on St Lawrence (10 Aug) foretold a long wet spell into autumn.
„Na Bartoloměje odpoledne se krátí.“
By 24 Aug the days are visibly shortening — the afternoons lose their light.
„Srpen z počátku-li hřeje, zima pak se dlouho sněhem skvěje.“
A hot start to August was read as a sign of a long, snowy winter to come.
09September
„Svatý Matouš přikrývá zem listem.“
Around 21 Sep the leaves begin to fall — autumn has truly set in.
„Na svatého Václava bývá blátivá záplava.“
Late September (28th) tends to bring rainy, muddy weather, the lore says.
„Babí léto — léto na odchodu.“
Warm sunny days with gossamer in the fields are summer’s last breath.
10October
„Říjen, když blýská, zima plíská.“
Thunderstorms in October were read as a sign of a harsh, sleety winter.
„Na svatého Havla poslední pastva pro krávu.“
After St Gall (16 Oct) grazing ends — the grass stops growing and winter nears.
„Spadne-li listí v říjnu brzy, bude mírná zima.“
An early leaf-fall was read as a milder winter; a late one as a hard one.
11November
„Na svatého Martina kouřívá se z komína.“
Around 11 Nov it turns cold and the chimneys smoke; "Martin on a white horse" means the first snow.
„Svatá Kateřina prádlo máchá, svatá Barbora je škrobí.“
Around St Catherine (25 Nov) it is still wet; by St Barbara (4 Dec) it freezes.
„Když dlouho listí nepadá, tuhá zima se přikrádá.“
When trees hold their leaves late, a hard winter is said to be creeping in.
12December
„Na svatého Mikuláše už je zima celá naše.“
After 6 December winter usually takes full hold.
„Svatá Lucie noci upije, ale dne nepřidá.“
Around 13 Dec the nights are longest (the solstice in the old calendar); the day adds nothing yet.
„Je-li na Štědrý den nebe hvězdnaté, bude rok úrodný.“
A clear, starry Christmas Eve sky was read as a sign of a fruitful year.
„Vánoce na blátě, Velikonoce na ledě.“
A green, muddy Christmas was read as an omen of a cold Easter.
FAQ
What are pranostiky?
Pranostiky are Czech folk weather proverbs that tie the weather to the calendar — mostly to saints’ days and the rhythm of farm work. They grew out of long observation and were passed down as a practical guide for farmers.
Are the proverbs actually accurate?
Some capture real seasonal patterns (longer days after Candlemas, the late "Ice Saints" frosts); others are folk belief. They are not a forecast — use radar and models for that. Treat them as cultural weather memory.
Who are the "Ice Saints"?
Pancras, Servatius and Boniface (12–14 May), closed by "frozen Žofie" (15 May). This window carries a risk of the last spring frosts, which can damage blossom and tender plants.