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Farmers’ Almanac® Predicts Frightful Winter Weather

Back to 2008 Press Releases

For Immediate Release – December 17th, 2008

Winter doesn’t officially start until Saturday, December 21, 2008, at 7:04 am EST, but this fall’s weather has been very winter-like. Parts of New Jersey received a freak snowstorm in October, Houston, Texas received its first snow in 4 years, and just recently New Orleans, Louisiana got a couple inches of snow! Cold temperatures also were experienced in most areas of the country, including Florida. Yes, Virginia fall was very frightful.

So what will the winter bring? According to the Farmers’ Almanac, more frightfully cold temperatures and a good amount of snow for many areas. The Farmers’ Almanac, now in its 192nd year, is forecasting a ‘numbing’ winter, with below-average temperatures for at least two-thirds of the country.

According to the 2009 edition, “Only the Far West and Southeast will see near-normal temperatures. Few, if any, locations will enjoy many above-normal temperature days this upcoming season.”

Heavy snow is predicted for the Great Lakes and Plains regions this winter, with a rainy season in the South and close to normal precipitation in most other regions of the country. While that prognosis may sound bleak to some, the good news is that a white Christmas is a good probability for many regions throughout the country this year, including parts of New England and the Great Lakes, as well as areas in Utah and Colorado on north and east into the Northern Plains.

“After last year’s record-breaking snowfall in New England,” shares Editor and Philom. Peter Geiger, “everyone has been anxiously awaiting the arrival of winter this year. And based on our long-range outlook, many places may once again see some record-breaking cold and snow the next few months.”

Farmers’ Almanac forecaster Caleb Weatherbee bases his long-range weather forecasts on a top-secret mathematical and astronomical formula that figures in sunspot activity, tidal action, the position of the planet in relation to the Sun, as well as a number of other factors. Faithful readers of the Farmers’ Almanac estimate that its annual weather forecast is accurate between 80 and 85 percent of the time.

About the Farmers' Almanac:
The Farmers' Almanac, which features an orange and green cover, has been published every year since 1818. Available at grocery and bookstores nationwide, it contains useful and interesting articles, as well as long-range weather predictions, gardening advice, recipes and more. Editors Peter Geiger and Sandi Duncan are available for lively and informative interviews, either by phone or in person. Both love to talk about the weather, share useful Almanac trivia and advice, and offer tips on how to "get back to the simple life." Visit on the Web at www.FarmersAlmanac.com.