Five-year-old Cole Peurifoy of Concord, NC, was proud of his woolly worm, Jack, who captured first place in Saturday races at the 33rd Annual Woolly Worm Festival in Banner Elk, NC.

Based on the width and order of the caterpillar's black and brown stripes,
Jack's forecast for the coming winter (starting with the winter solstice on
December 21) says there will be cold and snow through the holidays and on
into late January.  There will be a bit of a warming trend in the last week
of January and first week of February with a chance for ice.  February will
continue cold, becoming extremely cold in March.  The weeks leading to the
spring equinox on March 20 will see the winter close with lots of snow.

 The winter forecast was interpreted by former NC State basketball great, and
Avery County native, Tommy Burleson.