Meteorologist’s take on Farmer’s Almanac predictions for upcoming winter

Almanac predicts cold winter is coming

It’s year 225 of the Old Farmer’s Almanac known mainly for its prediction of the upcoming winter.

This year, the almanac is predicting a cold one for the Midwest. But it’s not exactly the toughest of predictions.

“If you read between the lines, just read what they’re saying, they’re saying, ‘Colder than last year,'” WeatherTime Radio Network meteorologist Karl Klopotic said. “Well, last year was a pretty mild winter.”

Klopotic has been doing this 35 years and doesn’t put much faith in the Farmer’s Almanac. 

“They predict a lot of times, that they’re so accurate, ’80 percent accuracy,'” Klopotic said. “Well, I’m not sure what they’re actually putting it against or what they base their accuracy on.

“I would go on the National Weather Service and science predictions.”

On top of that, Klopotic admitted it’s completely ridiculous to try and predict the weather of an upcoming season.

“Absolutely!” he said. “How about the next day?”

But, when forced to try and guess the upcoming winter, Klopotic just went with the odds and said it’s going to be colder than last year.

“I would expect to have at least normal snow amounts if not more than normal,” he said. “The last two winters have been kind of mild and less snowy, so it’s just based on that.”

Klopotick added the Farmer’s Almanac doesn’t use actual data or science when making their prediction.