Get your wellies and winter coats ready. The Farmers’ Almanac is predicting a wet and cold “winter whirlwind” this year.
The Farmers’ Almanac has released its extended forecast for the 2024-25 winter season, and it’s looking grim. The report warns that much of the country should expect “quick storms” of rain and snow, with “little downtime in between.”
Here’s what you need to know about the winter weather forecast for Ohio, according to the Farmers’ Almanac.
What is the fall forecast for the Ohio Valley?
The autumn equinox on Sunday, September 22, officially begins the fall season. According to the Farmers’ Almanac fall forecast, temperatures in the Ohio Valley region will be cooler than average.
While much of the eastern half of the country is expected to see near or above average rainfall in September, drier than average conditions are forecast for the Midwest, including Ohio. Above average precipitation is expected for October.
However, temperatures are expected to rise from the Great Lakes to the East Coast and the central and northern Plains in November, and precipitation in these areas will also be near or below average.
What will winter be like in Ohio this year?
The periodic forecast is cold and wet for the Ohio Valley and Midwest regions. The coldest period of the season will occur in the last week of January through early February, with heavy snow and showers east of the Great Lakes region.
Above-average precipitation is expected across the eastern third of the country, particularly the Great Lakes, Ohio Valley and Midwest regions. The almanac says the following dates could see significant snow, rain, sleet and ice: January 20-24 and 27.
What is the weather forecast for the Ohio Valley for the next two months?
This is what the Old Farmers Almanac (not to be confused with the Farmers’ Almanac) predicts for the rest of August and September.
August
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11-22 Aug: Showers, then sunny; later warm.
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Aug 23-28: Sunny and warm.
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Aug 29-31: Showers here and there, cooler.
September
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September 1-5: sunny, cool, then warmer.
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6-7 Sept.: Rain, heavy from the west; cool.
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Sept. 8-12: Sunny, mild.
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13-20 Sept.: Showers, then sunny; cool.
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Sept. 21-30: Periods of rain, cool.
When does winter start?
Meteorological winter begins on December 1 and astronomical winter begins on December 21.
When does winter end?
The 2025 vernal equinox is on March 20, marking the end of winter and the beginning of a new season. Meteorological spring begins on March 1.
How does the Farmers’ Almanac make its weather forecasts?
The long-range forecasts for the Farmers’ Almanac are calculated two years in advance and take into account “such things as sunspot activity, lunar tidal forces, the positions of the planets and several other factors,” according to the almanac’s website.
According to the Farmers’ Almanac, the accuracy of the predictions is 80%, although some experts dispute these claims.
This article originally appeared on the Cincinnati Enquirer: Farmers’ Almanac predicts ‘winter whirlwind’ of cold, wet storms
