Ready or not, winter is almost here!

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

Sandi Duncan, Managing Editor • 908-689-0960 •
sduncan@farmersalmanac.com

LEWISTON, Maine – While icy, cold, and snowy conditions have already been experienced in many parts of the country, the official start of winter isn’t until Saturday, December 22. The early onset of winter-like weather came as no surprise to the editors and readers of the Farmers’ Almanac, which according to its web site (www.farmersalmanac.com) accurately forewarned of both rain and snow in early December.

The 2008 Farmers’ Almanac called for rain/snow in the Midwest December 8th-11,th and heavy snow for the Northeast on December 12th-15th. The Midwest storm resulted in the massive ice storm, and this past weekend’s storm brought a lot of frozen precipitation to most areas in the Northeast. “We believe that winter is back and here to stay,” reveals Peter Geiger, Philom., Editor, adding “however, depending on where you live will determine what type of winter you may experience.”

Geiger is referring to the 2008 Farmers’ Almanac’s “two-faced winter” outlook, which reveals a colder than normal conditions for the eastern half of the country – chiefly those areas east of the Mississippi –and for the western half of the country – – mainly those areas west of the Mississippi – an overall mild winter. “Mother Nature is once again keeping all of us on our toes,” states 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 Farmers’ Almanac, which accurately forecasted the major snowstorms that hit Denver during Christmas week last year, bases its long-range weather on a top-secret mathematical and astronomical formula. Forecaster Caleb Weatherbee takes sunspot activity, tidal action, the position of the planet and many other factors into consideration. Devoted readers claim the Farmers’ Almanac weather forecast is accurate between 80 and 85 percent of the time.

What about Christmas?

According to the Farmers’ Almanac, holiday celebrations in many regions should keep their white ground cover they already received and many could be in for some additional accumulations. To get the Farmers’ Almanac’s zoned forecast for the entire year, be sure to get a copy of 2008 Farmers’ Almanac available online at www.farmersalmanac.com, and in many stores around the country. You can also get two month’s weather at a time at the site for free.