The Farmer’s Almanac Predicts Warmer Temps And Fewer Snowstorms This Winter

Most of us in the Northern Hemisphere are still experiencing warm, sunny, summer days. However, this is the time of year when we all start about to think about what’s looming just around the corner: Winter. The Old Farmer’s Almanac 2020, however, is telling us that this year in the U.S. we maybe don’t have as much to fear as we are thinking.

Old Farmer’s Almanac 2020-2021 Winter Prediction

The Old Farmer’s Almanac 2020-2021 winter prediction is out, and it’s… not that bad! They are predicting a less harsh winter than many of us are used to. (1) This is what they had to say on their live 2021 Winter Weather Forecast on August 18:

“For the United States, we predict that recent warming trends will dominate in the eastern and northern parts of the United States in the coming winter, with below-normal average temperatures limited to the western portion of the nation…Most of Canada will have a cold and snowy winter. However, rising temperature trends mean that the winter will not bring extreme cold; instead, it will be closer to normal.” (1)

Of course, the forecast will vary depending on where in the country you live in. The details are as follows (1):

• The coldest temperatures will occur in northeastern New England and the western states.
• The majority of the country will experience wet precipitation rather than snow.
• Some states will experience a higher snowfall rate. These include:
  • The Northeast
  • Wisconsin
  • Upper Michigan
  • The High Plains
  • Northern Alaska

Depending on where you are, this winter is either going to be perfect for outdoor winter activities or it is going to be the winter of the rainboots. 

Read: Upcoming Meteor Showers In 2020 You Just Can’t Miss

How Accurate is the Farmer’s Almanac?

The Old Farmer’s Almanac claims to have 80% accuracy when predicting the weather. The most recent study done to test this claim was published in the Weatherwise journal in 1981. In their study, they found the Almanac to have an accuracy that was closer to 52%. (3,4)

Accurate or not, there are a few things we know for sure:

1. It’s still summer and there is plenty of warm, sunny weather left.
2. Fall comes before winter, which will also have some lovely days.
3. Like it or not, winter will be colder and longer than most of us would prefer.

For now, let’s all just enjoy the rest of summer and look forward to the crisp fall days ahead. Lastly, a positive outlook on winter will go a long way when we’re in the middle of it.