Predicting Winter Weather

We’re wrapping up the summer season and cold weather is on the way. How cold, you might ask? Well, it can be hard to predict the weather but The Farmer’s Almanac might just have the answer!

In a nutshell, the Farmer’s Almanac is an annual calendar with articles about weather, gardening, cooking, home remedies and everything in between. It is jammed packed with information, but it is best known for its winter weather predictions.

The exact method for coming up with these predictions has remained a secret since its creation in 1818 by David Young, but the Farmer’s Almanac claims it uses mathematical and astronomical data that is 87% accurate.

Valid or not, the Farmer’s Almanac has made some predictions for this winter that we all hope don’t come true! According to the calendar, this winter is shaping up to look a lot like last winter. Low temperatures and unseasonably cold conditions are predicted for the Atlantic Seaboard, eastern portions of the Great Lakes and the lower peninsula of Michigan.

What about right here in Indiana? According to the Farmer’s Almanac, we fall into the “snow-filled and frigid” category, along with Kentucky, Ohio, Illinois and Michigan.

Certain times in the winter have been flagged by the calendar that might be especially bad. The second week in January and the second week of February carry the possibility of heavy winter weather with a long, drawn out spell of stormy weather extending through much of the first half of March.

This is not good news, but there is an upside. The Farmer’s Almanac isn’t the most well-respected weather predictor. It can be argued that the predictions are general; of course January is going to be cold and snowy!

“It’s a forecast that has as much accuracy as a Magic 8 ball,” wrote Connecticut broadcast meteorologist Ryan Hanrahan on his Facebook page.

Accurate or not, the Farmer’s Almanac is full of fun trivia and interesting historical information. To get a copy for yourself, visit the Farmer’s Almanac website.

Only time will tell the type of winter weather we will have. If the Farmer’s Almanac is correct, bundle up tight and call Chapman Heating and Cooling to make sure your heater is in good working condition all winter long, especially through the second week in January.

Give Chapman | Heating | Air Conditioning | Plumbing | a call and have your home heating system inspected by one of our qualified contractors