Why does March come in like a lion, out like a lamb?

CLEVELAND - Ahh, folklore can be fun. The month of March is always thought of as coming "in like a lion" and going "out like a lamb." It's a phrase passed down from generation to generation. But where did it come from?

Many scholars trace the phrase back to the early U.S. settlers. Without fancy radar equipment, these hunters, gatherers and farmers relied on keen weather observations to forecast the weather. Often times, as they observed, early March was marked by biting cold and winter storms. The month begins with a lion's roar. But, by the end of the month, the weather can often be warm, spring-like and docile. Kind of like a gentle lamb. It happens that way a lot, But, not all the time (as we here in Ohio know!).

Still, the origin of the March Lion & Lamb can be traced even further back, to ancient times and those who watched the stars.

You see March begins as the Constellation Leo is crossing toward the meridian. Leo is the Lion. As Leo marches away, the Constellation Aries begins to rise toward the end of the month. Aries is the ram: What many lambs will become someday!

So, based on the stars, March "comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb." Yes, folklore can be fun!