Farmers' Almanac Warns of Harsh 2025-2026 Winter: ‘Chill, Snow, Repeat'
The historic Farmers' Almanac predicts an early, frigid, and snowy winter for much of the U.S., with two major Arctic blasts in mid-January and mid-February. While many farmers, truckers, and rural communities are already preparing, meteorologists remain skeptical about the lorange forecast's accuracy.
The Farmers' Almanac, a 200-year-old publication, has released its extended winter forecast for 2025-2026, predicting an intense season that could begin as early as September in parts of the country-months before the official start on December 21. The editors sum it up in three words: "Chill, Snow, Repeat."
According to the Almanac:
Coldest regions: From the Northern Plains to New England, with the Pacific Northwest (Idaho, Washington) also facing frigid temperatures.
Snowiest regions: New England and the Atlantic Coast will see frequent storms, with a wintry mix of snow and rain. The Great Lakes, Ohio Valley, and North Central states are expected to experience a "classic winter wonderland". Mountain ranges in the Pacific Northwest could see record snowfall.
Southern U.S.: The Southeast may get average temperatures with wet spells and occasional snow in higher elevations. Texas and the Southern Plains are forecast for a wetter-than-average winter with bouts of freezing rain and occasional snow in northern areas.
Southwest: Wet conditions with near-average temperatures.
The Almanac warns of two major cold snaps-one in mid-January and another in mid-February-that could extend winter deep into 2026.
Forecast Method vs. Modern Science
The Farmers' Almanac bases its predictions on a proprietary formula that factors in solar activity cycles, lunar motion, tidal action, and upper-atmosphere wind patterns. The forecaster, known only by the pseudonym "Caleb Weatherbee," has been with the publication for about 30 years.
However, meteorologists emphasize that forecasting specific weather events months in advance is scientifically unreliable. NOAA's Climate Prediction Center and independent studies have found that the accuracy of loterm almanac forecasts hovers around 50%, making them comparable to chance.
Meteorologist Rich Segal says that trusting such forecasts "is more like a roll of the dice," given that weather patterns can change dramatically within 24 hours. NOAA's Jon Gottschalck adds: "It's just not possible to do that" when it comes to pinpointing specific events so far ahead.
Why It Still Matters for Rural America
Despite the doubts, many in the U.S. agriculture, transport, and energy sectors still follow the Farmers' Almanac. A harsh winter impacts crop transport, livestock operations, heating fuel demand, and rural infrastructure planning.
Sandi Duncan, the Almanac's editor, acknowledges the limits: "No forecast can claim perfect accuracy... Mother Nature always has the final say."