Mr. Geiger -  I have noted a large, early influx of large and small spiders….also early crickets on hearth…does 10 2 08 count as early? Are these signs of early? Harsh? winter I’m looking for snow!

We’ve been receiving lots of information on persimmon seeds and wollybear caterpillars. This is the first on spiders and crickets. Here is what to look for:

   * Spiders spinning larger than usual webs and entering the house in great numbers is a sign of a snowy winter.

   * Early arrival of crickets on the hearth means an early winter

I’d say October 2 is still early. So, we have had reports on persimmon seeds and  woollybear caterpillars. Now we can now add spiders and crickets to the mix. Most of it says hard winter but there have been exceptions (orange caterpillars). Of course, much depends on where you live. It could be mild in one region and  rough in another. If you can tell us more about spiders and crickets, we welcome your observations.

Technorati Tags:
Spiders, Crickets, Winter Signs, Snow

by pgeiger
8 Comments »

If you didn’t heard much about Hurricane Kyle, it is probably because it was only scheduled to hit the State of Maine over the weekend. To say that hurricanes and Maine are a rare occurrence is an understatement. Since records have been kept, the only true hurricanes to hit Maine have been:

New England Hurricane of 1938

Atlantic Hurricane of 1944
Carol in 1954

Edna in 1954

Donna in 1960

Gloria in 1985

Bob in 1991

The first four were before my time and I don’t recall Donna. I was in Toronto, Canada promoting the Farmers’ Almanac during both Gloria and Bob.Then, this weekend, the media hyped a Hurricane Kyle strike and broke into programming for updates. The end result, Kyle went out to sea and hit the Maritimes in Canada.

In the South, people wisely evacuate when a storm approaches. Friends on the Coast told me it was crowded with people hoping to see the waves on the rockbound coast. As it ended, it was just a rainy weekend with little or no wind. Since the Farmers’ Almanac only called for rain, it was just fine by me.

by pgeiger
1 Comment »

Our reputation as a “Brides Best Friends” remains intact!!  Last year we ran a contest concerning the worst wedding weather based upon the first wedding I ever attended during which it rained. I learned that it can be rather nasty when it is wet. But I also know that if the weather is bad, everyone remembers the day.

I have a good friend who teaches in a local school. In order for her daughter to plan for her big wedding, I provided a copy of the 2008 Farmers’ Almanac last fall. So, here is the rest of the story…

Hi Peter! Just wanted to thank you for giving us the Farmers’ Almanac! My daughter, Heather, got married this past weekend and the weather was fabulous. She picked her day by going through the Farmers’ Almanac. She actually wanted this coming weekend, but after seeing the forecast, changed her date. So, hip hooray for the Farmers’ Almanac!!!!, Sincerely, Kathi. 

Some of the weather experts say that one can’t predict more than 3 days out. But, to put it into perspective, last weekend was the most beautiful fall day. No clouds, bright sunshine, dark blue skies and comfortable temps. This coming weekend with be the combination of a couple tropical storms that will result in  heavy rain and winds.

So, if you are a bride to be and are planning your day, check out the 2009 edition. You can also go to www.farmersalmanac.com and download three months of future weather.

Technorati Tags:
Wedding Weather, Brides, Long Range Weather

by pgeiger
No Comments »

Autumn arrives on schedule today at 11:44am (Eastern Time). While fall is magnificent in the northern states, we are just one season away from what could be a numbingly cold winter….. and lots of snow.  There has been many comments on our blogs about what the signs of winter are saying. Whether it is birds, caterpillars, persimmon seeds or other favorite indicators, we are getting an earful.

Here are just a few observations:   * Here in Penn’s woods (PA) the changes are quite obvious. The Eastern Blue Jays have migrated. I have not seen any Blue Jays since July! Also, there has been quite a showing of aggressive wild turkey which doesn’t normally happen till the weather turns cool. As for a harsh winter, I am afraid it’s coming, but I don’t expect too much in precipitation. The continued dry air, in the Susquehanna Valley area, hasn’t changed for the past three years.

While golfing yesterday afternoon, I saw a completely orange wooly bear. I’ve never seen that before. The caterpillar was heading south if that means anything - Actually, complete orange means a hot summer and he should turn around and stay in the north. (actually, all orange means mild, so this guy is heading in the wrong direction)

  * Found five spoons in Mitchell, In. , Snow days ahead from work and school

  * Found spoons in Florence, Mississippi too. Wow, can’t wait to make a snowman this year!

  * I saw an all black caterpillar for the first time. I live near Erie, PA. I’m assuming we are in for a long hard winter.

  * Cut open three seeds from local trees. Found 2 spoons and a knife. Better go cut firewood. (Arkansas)

  * I found 4 spoons and 1 knife. Bring in the firewood and hunker down. (Georgia)

So, the seeds are primarily spoons (lots of snow). The caterpillar is a split decision although he will vary depending upon the location. I’ll be following the Woolley bear festival in Ohio in October. If you have observations you’d like to share, go to my blog at www.farmersalmanac.com and tell us about them.  I recently listed the 20 Signs of a Hard Winter. Tell us what you are seeing. 

While you are on our site, watch the video on why leaves change color. And, then click on the best viewing locations and dates. You don’t want to miss Mother nature at her very best! 

Technorati Tags:
Fall Foliage, Woollybear Caterpillars, Persimmon Seeds, Birds Flying South, Autumn

by pgeiger
No Comments »

By now you may have seen our article on the weather page “Nature Agrees with Farmers’ Almanac’s Cold Winter Outlook.” It talks about the many different natural signs of a hard winter as well as shares some of the clues that have been noticed by our web visitors.

If you haven’t read it, be sure to read it now. And be sure to check out the comments people have been leaving here and on the forum

There is a fun discussion going on about what folks are seeing in their backyards as far as signs of an early or rough winter ahead. Some of these comments or observations include spotting:

Big spider webs

Thick hickory nut shells

Thick and tight corn shucks

Spoon in persimmon seeds

Squirrels all of a sudden quit eating nuts and are storing them,

Thick bark

Up here, near Lake Ontario, in the middle of apple orchards, I take my clue about upcoming winters from the Mountain Ash tree. This year, there are many berries but not so many that the boughs are bending toward the ground. So, my guess is that this winter will be normal, cold and snowy but not overly so.

I’ve noticed starling grouping in large flocks in early august this year. I know they do this in September & October but I don’t remember seeing them do this, this early in the year. I’m I wrong or is this early.

What are you noticing in your backyard? Do you know how to check the persimmon seeds? If not, be sure to check out this fun and informative video. Do you remember if you had any fogs in August?

Predicting the weather by natural clues is fun. It’s a great family activity too. Share what you observe at our forum and then check back in a few months to see if your natural forecasters panned out.

While we don’t use natural signs in our weather formula, we do recognize that they can be very accurate. Be sure to keep your eyes open for natural weather signs. Wooly worm caterpillars should be showing up soon to give you their forecast (remember more black than orange means a very harsh winter). Keep sharing your observations.

Technorati Tags:
natural weather signs, harsh winter weather, winter , folklore, signs from nature

by pgeiger
1 Comment »

It is so easy to criticize our government - at all levels. It was encouraging, though, to see how well coordinated the relief efforts were for Hurricane Gustav. Things went so well that major media had to replay Katrina footage to fill time. From the evacuation of two million plus, to the lack of looting and levees that held, it was a job well done. Congratulations to all the rescue workers.

While we did not specifically call for Gustav, our overall contention that July, August and September would be a very active tropical season with the Gulf Coast in the crosshairs for hurricanes was on the mark. We do call for a storm in mid September which is how Ike is tracking at this point. I am grateful for the advance warning system that is in place that allows people to react and save lives.

Our thoughts are with the millions that have to find their way back home and still have to contend with the balance of the hurricane season. The peak for hurricanes is September 10th.

We release a newsletter each Monday. This week it contains some great material including weather lore, favorite fall flowers, dinner in a flash and much more. If you have not signed up for the free newsletter, do so today at www.farmersalmanac.com.

by pgeiger
No Comments »

Technorati Tags:
Signs of Nature, Harsh Winter, Woollybear Caterpillars, Acorns

Ok, the Farmers’ Almanac prediction for a Numbingly Cold winter is out, but what are the real experts saying?  A wonderful friend of Ray Geiger, ( Cleveland weather guru - Dick Goddard) put together a laundry list of “signs” of nature. We featured these in the 1978 edition and it is still relevant today. here are the 20 Signs of A Hard Winter.

Thicker than normal corn husks
Woodpeckers sharing a tree
Early arrival of the Snowy owl
Early departure of geese and ducks
Early migration of the Monarch butterfly
Thick hair on the nape (back) of the cow’s neck
Heavy and numerous fogs during August
Raccoons with thick tails and bright bands
Mice eating ravenously into the home
Early arrival of crickets on the hearth
Spiders spinning larger than usual webs and entering the house in great numbers

Pigs gathering sticks
Insects marching a bee line rather than meandering
Early seclusion of bees within the hive
Unusual abundance of acorns
Muskrats burrowing holes high on the river hank
“See how high the hornet’s nest, ‘twill tell how high the snow will rest”
Narrow orange band in the middle of the Woollybear caterpillar warns of heavy snow; fat

and fuzzy caterpillars presage bitter cold
The squirrel gathers nuts early to fortify against a hard winter
Frequent halos or rings around sun or moon forecast numerous snow falls.

I have heard from several parts of North America about what folks are seeing. Example:

 Just reading on AOL that you predict a very harsh winter. We have lived on the Lake at Big Bear Lake, CA  for 10 years.  We are retired so we have time to watch the wildlife. This is the first year that we have had so many baby ducks that we can’t count them all.  They started hatching very early and are still hatching.  We have never seen so many.  Every mother it seems has from 4-9 little ducklings.  We have been wondering why so many. Thanks for your good work. - BJ.

So  what signs of nature are you observing?

by pgeiger
13 Comments »

A great deal of work goes on behind the scenes to pull together an edition of the Farmers’ Almanac. It is a mini-Olympics. For 9 months we work hard pulling together an array of material that address the overall theme of the Almanac - sustainable living. We have always been about being good to the earth and doing things in a way that allows us to live happy, frugal lives. We protect the formula that Caleb uses to calculate weather predictions two years in advance. It all comes down to the release of the newest edition.

One reader in Alberta comments, “I continue to go on your Internet site and check every thing out. I like your weather a lot. I find it is about 80-90 % right for each month. I have seen you guys forecast events in a month and sometimes they happen a few days off from what you predicted, (mother nature throws you off some times), but you still have very good weather. I can’t wait to see the winter 08-09 forecast next week, I hope it is good for Alberta.”

Like the Olympics, all of the hard work has led to the moment the Farmers’ Almanac lands in stores and the media talks about us. Expect to see coverage of our upcoming winter forecast in the papers, radio, TV and online starting Monday, August 25th. Sandi and I have met with the Associated Press and our website will be peppered with new material as well. For the next few months, we will be doing interviews throughout the US and Canada.

Be sure to get your copy of the 2009 Farmers’ Almanac and let me know what you like and how we can help you. If I am on a radio show in your community, call in and say hello. The fun begins next week and I hope our winter weather helps prepare you for what is coming your way.

Technorati Tags:
2009 Farmers’ Almanac, winter weather, winter 2009, Farmers’ Almanac

by pgeiger
5 Comments »

Technorati Tags:
Wedding Weather, Buffalo, NY, Accuracy in Weather

Frequently, I am asked what the weather will be on a certain date for a wedding.  I try to “do my best” utilizing our long range weather predictions. Paul Leone is a producer for  FATV. His friends were to be married in Buffalo, NY, today. So months ago he asked and I cheerfully  reported that on August 8th it would be  ”partly sunny” weather - a perfect day. This morning, Paul called because the local weather folks called for rain all day. He was getting ribbed about our “accurate prediction”.  So, I put on my defensive face by saying did “you know that rain on a wedding is good for a bride. Rain equates to blessing and children.” So, I attempted to put a sunny spin on a rather dull day.

Fast forward  a few hours and I get an e-mail from Paul saying that miracle of miracles, it was clearing and going to be just wonderful for the event. As I write this blog, the ceremony is taking place and guess what…. the Farmers’ Almanac is right again. The current temperature is 78 degrees with 9 miles visibility, humidity is 43% and the sun is shining. Perfect day for a wedding!! Chalk one up for the good guys!

If you are planning a wedding or another event in 2009, the new edition will be in stores soon. Plan accordingly.

by pgeiger
No Comments »

Technorati Tags:
Thunderstorms, Weird Weather, Tornadoes

What a year for weird weather. From floods to hurricanes to tornadoes to hot and sultry temps, 2008  has had it all. While tornadoes are not unusual for the Midwest, for the first time in my memory, Androscoggin County in Maine had tornado alerts yesterday afternoon. This is so uncommon, that no one knew exactly what to do (unless they read the Farmers’ Almanac or spend time on our website). Up here, we plan for fire evacuations, ice storms and Nor’easters  but never tornadoes??.

The alert came and went and there were a few swaths of damage to trees and a couple homes, but nothing like we see in other parts of the country. Nonetheless, this has been a summer with power in its storms. And, it isn’t over yet. We are in the midst of hurricane season and while July has been referred to as Thunder Month, August heat and storms pack lots of clout.

In late August, we will release our predictions for fall and next winter…. so stay tuned. Have a safe and enjoyable weekend.

by pgeiger
1 Comment »