July 16, 2026, 3:10 pm | Read time: 4 minutes
The dormouse is much more than just a small rodent: At the end of June, a special calendar day also bears its name. According to a centuries-old farmer’s rule, the weather on this day is said to predict the summer. But does this still hold true?
Those hoping for a sunny summer should keep an eye on June 27: This is Siebenschläfer Day. Around this date revolves one of the most well-known farmer’s rules: “As the weather is on Siebenschläfer Day, so it will be for seven weeks.” Accordingly, the weather on this day is supposed to give a hint about the rest of the summer. But how reliable is this forecast really? Is it just a traditional weather saying, or is there more to it? myHOMEBOOK asked meteorologist Jörg Riemann from the Wettermanufaktur. He explains what the farmer’s rule on Siebenschläfer is all about.
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What are the farmer’s rules for Siebenschläfer?
Farmer’s rules for Siebenschläfer usually contain the same content. They predict the weather for the summer, specifically for the next seven weeks.
- The weather on Siebenschläfer Day may remain for seven weeks.
- As the weather is on Siebenschläfer Day, so it will be for seven weeks.
- If it rains on Siebenschläfer Day, we are blessed with rain for seven weeks.
- If Siebenschläfer is wet, it rains without end.
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How reliable is the weather forecast?
It is important not to consider only June 27 when applying the farmer’s rule for Siebenschläfer, says Riemann. It is more about the weather during this period. One should observe the weather a week before and a week after the key date. But how high is the probability? “This farmer’s rule is one of the most well-researched and it is correct in two out of three cases. It doesn’t have to be right every year, but if you look at 30 years, it might have been wrong in ten years and right in 20 years, roughly,” explains the meteorologist.
This is the forecast for the coming period
For the Siebenschläfer rule, it is crucial whether a weather pattern establishes itself over a longer period. This is currently the case: Germany is under the influence of a large high-pressure area that keeps low-pressure systems from the Atlantic at bay and directs very hot air to Central Europe. “This leads to high to extreme heat stress in the coming days and probably also to new temperature records at individual stations,” explains Felix Dietzsche from the German Weather Service (DWD). For Friday and Saturday, temperatures of up to 104 degrees Fahrenheit, locally even 106 degrees, are expected in many places.
Whether the current weather pattern will indeed remain dominant in the coming weeks is still unclear. Although a slight cooling is indicated at the beginning of the coming week, temperatures above 86 degrees Fahrenheit are still likely. “Overall, the weather pattern seems to be changing somewhat. But where this journey is going or whether it is only temporary and the heat returns cannot be foreseen today,” says Dietzsche.
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What does this mean for the garden?
In the past, farmer’s rules were mainly relevant for agriculture. Since there was no weather report, one had to rely on experience to avoid endangering the harvest. But the key date can also be interesting for garden owners, for example, when it comes to watering during vacation time. However, one should not rely on these forecasts, especially since there are also more modern methods today to predict the weather.
Farmer’s rule actually applies to a different day
Weather expert Riemann also explains that the farmer’s rule was calculated differently in earlier times. “Due to the calendar reform of 1582, the days have shifted a bit. Actually, Siebenschläfer would be on July 7.” Whether in the past or today–generally, two weeks around June 27 are considered Siebenschläfer.