Tuesday, August 15, 2023

FOLKLORE STUDIES
Did you miss snow last winter? Here's what the Farmers' Almanac is predicting this year

Katie Landeck and Hadley Barndollar, Providence Journal
Mon, August 14, 2023 

Last winter may have been marked by mild weather and short bursts of deep freezes, but according to the Farmers' Almanac, don't expect those mild temperatures this winter.

Prepare to be cold and prepare for snow.


Plow working through East Providence clearing snow and slush from the winter storm Monday evening. Tuesday, Feb 28, 2023. [The Providence Journal / Kris Craig]

"After a weird and warm winter season last year, this winter should make cold weather fans rejoice — especially those in the Great Lakes, Midwest, and northern New England areas,” editor Peter Geiger said in a press release. “The ‘brrr’ is coming back! We expect more snow and low temperatures nationwide.”


The Farmers' Almanac is calling for a return to cold and snow this winter in New England, the Great Lakes and the Midwest.

What to expect in winter 2023-2024 in Rhode Island

The Farmers' Almanac is forecasting "below-average temperatures and lots of snowstorms, sleet, ice, rain" in New England and quite a few other spots in the country.

While there wasn't a lot of snow last year, they're saying the whole Interstate 95 corridor from Washington to Boston should expect to contend with quite a bit of the white stuff this year. Prepare to get your snowblower back out.

Here are some of the more specific predictions:

"The second week of January will be stormy, snowy, and wet for both the Pacific Coast and the Eastern States."


"An East Coast storm affecting the Northeast and New England states will bring snowfall, cold rain and then frigid temperatures, during the second week of February."

"Another East Coast storm will bring a wintry mess to this area during the first week of March."

"A possible late-season snowfall over the high terrain of New England during the third week of April won’t be a fun “April Fools’ Day” prank!"

How does the Farmers' Almanac make predictions?

The Farmers' Almanac, which is slightly different from the Old Farmer's Almanac and was founded in 1818, uses sunspot activity, tidal action of the moon, the position of the planets and other factors.

The Farmers' Almanac claims to have secret formulas. The only person who allegedly knows the exact formula of the Farmers' Almanac is its weather prognosticator, who goes by the pseudonym Caleb Weatherbee.

Published reports have said the Farmers' Almanac takes into account climate change.

Are the Farmers' Almanac's predictions accurate?

So, how accurate are the predictions each year?

The Farmers' Almanac claims an accuracy rate of about 80% to 85%.

Others are less sure. A 2010 University of Illinois study found the Farmers' Almanac to be correct only about 50% of the time when the researchers compared the forecasts with the real weather data.

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