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How Does the Farmers’ Almanac Make Its Weather Predictions?
No we don’t have the groundhog on our staff, nor do we use computers or weather folklore to make our long-range projections. The Farmers’ Almanac weather predictions are based on a top-secret, but mathematical and astronomical formula. This formula dates back to 1818 when the first Farmers’ Almanac was published, and takes many factors into consideration including sunspot activity, moon phases, tidal action of the moon and other exclusive data.
The only person who knows all the details of our formula is Caleb Weatherbee, our esteemed weather prognosticator. While Caleb is a real person who lives somewhere in the United States, his true identity and name is kept top secret.
What do people say about our predictions?
“I’d like for you to know that I think your Almanac is the best out there, full of entertainment, advice, and very useful hints. I usually buy several for friends and family each fall as a gift, and they all find it very useful.”
“I am a meteorologist, and have commented on your Almanac’s weather forecast accuracy on several occasions to my National Weather Service colleagues. Thank you for compiling the best of America each year. I comment all the time that it’s too bad that the world isn’t
as the Farmers’ Almanac recommends it to be.”
— C. VanPelt, San Antonio, Texas
Live Weather from WeatherBug
Farmers' Almanac Long Range Weather
May 24th - May 27th
- Northeast U.S.
Thunderstorms Mid-Atlantic States, then clearing, cool conditions. Squally New England, then fair skies.
- Midwest/Great Lakes U.S.
Squally from Wisconsin east, then fair skies. Weather dries out for Indianapolis in time for Indy 500.
- Southeast U.S.
Thunderstorms, then clearing and cool.
- North Central U.S.
Clearing skies, unseasonably chilly.
- South Central U.S.
Thunderstorms Texas east, then clearing, quite cool.
- Northwest U.S.
Clear, but quite cool.
- Southwest U.S.
Clearing weather is accompanied by chilly conditions.
• View entire Long Range Weather Forecast »
• Farmers' Almanac 2012 Summer Outlook »
• View the Almanac Daily Planner »
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Recent Blog Posts
If you notice a hole in the upper left-hand corner of your Farmers' Almanac, don't return it to the store! That hole isn't a defect; it's a part of history. Starting with the first edition of the Farmers' Almanac in 1818, readers used to nail holes into the corners to hang it up in their homes, barns, and outhouses (to provide both reading material and toilet paper). In 1910, the Almanac's publishers began pre-drilling holes in the corners to make it even easier for readers to keep all of that invaluable information (and paper) handy.