Sheila’s Brush When it happens and what storms earn that title
Anyone heard from Sheila?
As people sleep off their post-st. Patrick’s Day fatigue and, perhaps, pints of Guiness later this weekend, all attention turns to Sheila’s Brush.
Sheila and Sheila’s Brush need no explanation for most of us, but for those unaware, the current and most wellknown version of this lore is that a woman named Sheila had some connection to Saint Patrick – a wife or girlfriend, family member, housekeeper, or even antagonist.
It’s said that snowstorms just after St. Patrick’s Day are the result of Sheila brushing out the last of the winter season. Mariners often worried about Sheila’s Brush, and according to the Dictionary of Newfoundland English, would wait until after Sheila’s Brush – or what some called the spring equinoxial gale to set sail.
But with Sheila’s Brush comes some questions about this folklore.
Can Sheila’s Brush happen before St. Patrick’s Day? Most of us would answer no given Sheila is brushing out the season after March 17. However, Robert Hiscock from the Product of Newfoundland blog notes some people believe Sheila’s Brush can happen before St. Paddy’s.
He adds if the storm comes ahead of St. Patrick’s Day it will lead to a miserable spring, while a storm after the 17th means a good spring, hence Sheila brushing out winter.
Another question I’ve heard is what storms qualify as Sheila’s brush? Most don’t consider an insignificant snowfall as Sheila’s Brush – it’s often a powerful storm with 30-plus cm of snow and gale-force winds.
While it’s unclear if Sheila’s Brush must be a raging snowstorm, there are cases where a storm is said to be Sheila’s Brush but doesn’t affect the entire region or an entire province for that matter.
Let’s also remember that we live in Atlantic Canada, and subsequent snow sometimes flies into April. Perhaps I’m dissecting this folklore a bit too much and getting too into the weeds.
Regardless, this historic, well-known piece of lore that above all has its roots in our region often sees a snowstorm follow St. Patrick’s Day.
Let’s wait to see how hard Sheila sweeps her brush this year.