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Farmers' Almanac

How Does the Farmers’ Almanac Make Its Weather Predictions?

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

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