Old Farmer’s Almanac releases updated Northeast forecast

Most well-known for its long-range weather predictions, the 2017 Farmers’ Almanac also contains a frigid forecast: “Return of the Ice Cold Winter” is how the Farmers’ Almanac describes the upcoming winter.

Residents in the Northeast Region, which includes portions of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, and Vermont, are predicted to have a winter that is “colder than normal on average” with precipitation that is either near or slightly above normal.

Despite Woodcock’s discredit to the almanac, the Climate Prediction Center said during fall and winter, the temperature and precipitation outlooks indicate impacts of La Niña, which is associated with cooler than average sea surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean.

The almanac goes on to say that April and May will be cooler than normal with rainfall below normal in our area. These two months will be the coldest and wettest we have seen in awhile.

The snowiest periods were believed to be mid-November, late January, mid- and late February and early to mid-March.

The forecasts are “based on a secret formula that founder Robert B. Thomas designed using solar cycles, climatology, and meteorology”, the almanac says, “so you’re free to take this information with a grain of salt”.

The hottest periods of the season will be mid- to late June and mid- to late July. Above normal rainfall is expected.

The Almanac is predicting above average precipitation for September and cool conditions as the interior heads into fall.

The Old Farmer’s Almanac boasts 80 per cent accuracy and predicts weather 18 months in advance. Snowfall is projected to be below normal.