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The Farmers’ Almanac continuously serves as a guide by which small-scale farmers can navigate the growing season’s weather promises and woes, but the newest edition, describes the upcoming winter weather using a scary four-letter word: cold.
According to the 2014 edition of the Farmers’ Almanac, released yesterday, Aug. 26, 2013, about two-thirds of the U.S. will experience below-average temperatures during the coming winter. The Almanac, which has been predicting the weather for 197 years, uses adjectives such as “biting,” “bitterly” and “piercing” in the winter’s weather prediction.
The only areas likely to see close to normal winter temperatures are the Far West and the Southeast. The coldest temperatures will be over the Northern Plains on east into the Great Lakes, but the bitter cold will also invade New England and the Mid-Atlantic regions.
Snow Will Blow
In terms of precipitation, the Almanac predicts the Southern Plains, Midwest and Southeast will see above-normal snow conditions, while the rest of the country can anticipate average amounts. However, with the expected below-normal temperatures, the Farmers’ Almanac says the stage will be set for the Midwest, Great Lakes, and Central and Northern New England to receive a decent-sized pile-up of snow.
About the Almanac
The 2014 Farmers’ Almanac, which contains 16 months of weather forecasts (September 2013 through December 2014) offers a broad outlook for the winter, spring and summer forecast ahead, as well as month-by-month USDA hardiness-zone forecasts for the contiguous U.S. Many readers consult the Farmers’ Almanac to prepare for the upcoming seasons.
In addition to weather, the Farmers’ Almanac also contains articles and tips on ways to live a more natural and simple life. This year’s new edition offers sage advice on ways to use bananas, olive oil and potatoes to help cure dry, winter skin; provides tips to help curb your dog’s bad breath and gas issues; shares tasty recipes for homemade bread; offers top picks for hardy fast-growing trees; and contains exclusive best days charts on things from gardening to fishing to quitting smoking.
Pick up the Farmers’ Almanac at bookstores, grocery stores or online, and find more weather outlooks on the Almanac website.
