The saying "March in like a lion, out like a lamb" is popular folklore, but is there any truth to this? And where did this saying come from?

What You Need To Know

  • The first known reference to the saying is in 1732

  • There are possible links to astronomy

  • March is typically more active at the beginning of the month

While the origins of this saying aren’t quite clear, there is a reference to it in a 1732 volume of proverbs by English author Thomas Fuller. After that, it was in most farmer's almanacs.

Some think it has links to astronomy with the locations of the constellations Leo (lion) and Aries (ram or lamb). At the start of the month, Leo is on the eastern horizon at sunset and at the end of the month, Aries is on the western horizon at sunset.

Month of March meteorologically

March itself is a transitional month, going from winter to spring. 

It’s not uncommon for the beginning of the month to feature big storm systems, including snow and even severe weather. By the end of the month, milder weather spreads over much of the country.

However, this is not always the case and can vary.

The saying talks about balance. If the month comes in active, like a lion, it should go out docile, like a lamb. Or, if it comes in docile, it should go out active. Yet, meteorologically speaking, that doesn't always happen.

Other popular folklore masquerading as long-range weather forecasting includes the woolly bear caterpillars and their prediction of winter. 

While most folklore is just that–lore–some hold water for short-term forecasting. 

For example, "Red sky at night, sailor's delight. Red sky in morning, sailors take warning" really is a useful rule of thumb. 

Other March folklore

According to the Farmer’s Almanac, here are some other March-related sayings:

  • "A dry March and a wet May; fill barns and bays with corn and hay."
  • "As it rains in March, so it rains in June."
  • "March winds and April showers, bring forth May flowers."
  • "So many mists in March you see, so many frosts in May will be."

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