Leaves on Quad City Trees

It dropped below freezing for the first time this fall Monday morning when the official low in the Quad Cities reached 31°.

With the chill settling in and below average temperatures expected through next week, we'll definitely start noticing more leaves changing color and falling.

Folklore says that "if autumn leaves are slow to fall, a cold winter is in store."

If this picture taken in Moline this past weekend is any indication, we might be in for a cold winter!

However, if you don't like the thought of that, keep in mind that deciduous oak trees drop their leaves later in the autumn.

And, here's another bit of folklore for you.  Corn husks, apple and onion skins, and nutshells are traditional indicators, too.  The thicker the exterior, the harsher the winter.

CBS4 Meteorologist Anthony Peoples