2008 Canadian Farmers’ Almanac® predicts a “two-faced winter”

Contacts:

Peter Geiger, Philom., Farmers’ Almanac Editor • 207-755-2246 • pgeiger@farmersalmanac.com

Sandi Duncan, Philom., Farmers’ Almanac Managing Editor • 908-689-0960 • sduncan@farmersalmanac.com

LEWISTON, Maine – A brand new edition of the Canadian Farmers’ Almanac hits the shelves in stores across Canada on August 27, marking the celebrated publication’s 191st consecutive year in print. Every year, thousands of faithful readers seek out the down-home wit, wisdom, and helpful information that have made the Canadian Farmers’ Almanac a household name.

Weather is the most talked about subject on earth, which makes the annual Canadian Farmers’ Almanac weather predictions a hot topic. Fans of the Almanac say its famous long-range forecast is accurate between 80 and 85 percent of the time. This coming winter, the Canadian Farmers’ Almanac is calling for a “two-faced season.”

“Mother Nature is once again keeping all of us on our toes,” reveals Editor and Philom., Peter Geiger, “we know she likes to throw curve balls at us from time to time and this winter it looks as though she’s going to reveal a possible split personality.”

The Canadian Farmers’ Almanac long-range forecasts are calling for a colder than normal winter with a greater than average complement of precipitation for the Ontario/Quebec border and points east into the Maritimes.

From central Ontario west through the Prairies and Rockies, on to the Pacific Coast – the overall winter will be milder than normal with near or below normal precipitation.

Skiers across Quebec will rejoice: snowier than normal conditions are expected. Snowy conditions will also be the case over Newfoundland. Overall, the winter should also average below normal temperature-wise across Quebec and the Maritimes.

Cold and snowy weather should also prevail over the Great Lakes region. In contrast, the Prairies, Rocky Mountains, and Pacific Coast should enjoy a relatively mild and somewhat drier than normal winter season overall. For some locations, the amount of wintertime precipitation – rain or snow – could average one-quarter to as much as one-half below seasonal normal.

And near and along the boundary zone between the mild and tranquil West and the cold and stormy East, we look for some large-scale weather vacillations: going from wintry to spring like and back to winter, almost like some sort of a meteorological pendulum undergoing a series of pretty wild swings.

While the long-range forecast is a favourite section for most readers, there’s a lot more in this year’s edition of the Canadian Farmers’ Almanac than just weather. Other features this year include a look into where the Canadian Farmers’ Almanac editors stand in the ongoing controversy over climate change; an outline to help readers make 2008 a “Year of Wellness,” one month at a time; tips on ways to safely remove squirrels, bats, birds and other creatures that may make themselves at home inside; a helpful list of spices that can help to fend off a bitter winter chill; practical ways to maintain close relationships and cultivate new friendships amid the frenetic pace of today’s word; and a look at a windy, wild place to visit in Manitoba. This year’s edition also includes countless annual favorites such as the 12 month Gardening by the Moon Schedule, Best Days to fish, quit habits or view meteors, helpful hints, wit and wisdom of days gone by, tide tables, humour, brainteasers and much more.