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Almanac Predicts 'Two-Faced' Winter

By JERRY HARKAVY,
AP
Posted: 2007-08-27 15:36:56
Filed Under: Nation News, Science News
LEWISTON, Maine (Aug. 27) - Keep your boots, long johns and snow shovels handy this winter if you live in the East, the Farmers' Almanac's forecast suggests. Residents of the West, however, can look forward to a milder winter this time around.

Northeast snowstorm in March 2007
Lisa Poole, AP

Last winter, the East had a mild winter until heavy snowstorms hit the area in February and March.

"Mother Nature is going to be sort of two-faced," almanac editor Peter Geiger said.

The almanac's 2008 edition, which goes on sale Tuesday, foresees plenty of snow across the Northeast, temperatures averaging as much as 3 degrees below normal along most of the Atlantic Coast, and four major frosts as far south as Florida. The Great Lakes region will also take a pounding.

The outlook is tamer for the Great Plains, the Rocky Mountains, the desert Southwest and the Pacific Coast, but Geiger said snow in Colorado will be more than adequate for skiing.

Other predictions include a cool, wet spring in many places, active tornado and hurricane seasons and a warmer-than-normal summer in much of the country.

The forecasts are prepared two years in advance by the almanac's reclusive prognosticator, who goes by the pseudonym Caleb Weatherbee and uses a secret formula based on sunspots, the position of the planets and the tidal action of the moon. Weatherbee has already completed his 2009 forecast, Geiger said.

The 191-year-old almanac's winter forecast is at odds with the federal government's outlook, which is based largely on statistical trends. For the coming winter, those trends point to above normal temperatures in the East and the Southwest, with drier than average weather along the southern tier of states and up the East Coast into Virginia.

Last year's almanac forecast of a colder than normal winter was off the mark at first. Geiger blamed an unforeseen El Nino that made for quiet conditions in the East before a series of heavy snowstorms struck in February and March.

Even so, the almanac claims an overall 80 to 85 percent accuracy rate, and says readers have long relied on its forecasts in planning family reunions, company picnics and weddings.

"We've been called a bride's best friend," Geiger said.

The almanac, not to be confused with the New Hampshire-based Old Farmer's Almanac founded 26 years earlier, claims a circulation of about 5 million. Most are sold to businesses that give them away as promotions.

Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. All active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.
2007-08-27 13:38:06
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917 comments

cocakoller8916 11:08:00 AM Aug 30 2007

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what happened to the four seasons?

mmishatexas 12:11:00 AM Aug 30 2007

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Maybe it gathered informations probably from gloabl warming. We know that gloabl warming affects this planet. Not only this but also solar rotational affects the balance. It has nothing to do with devil nor "supernatural".

kpsra 01:03:28 PM Aug 29 2007

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This book is the devils work I tell you!

Psythe397 11:02:43 AM Aug 29 2007

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Just dealt with blizzard after enormous blizzard earlier this year. The snow was up to our rooftop here in Central NY. Last thing we need is that again.

Scottloudin 09:56:00 AM Aug 29 2007

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Where I live, last winter had 60 degree weather, which isn't good in my book. I hope this winter will be more snowy

brats1796 08:49:00 AM Aug 29 2007

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Arizona is Hot, dry and beautiful. You snow birds can keep your snow. Swimming in October and Fall in the forest is great here

sitnonzeecrapper 10:36:22 PM Aug 28 2007

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ITS THE END OF THR WORLD AAAAAGHGGHHHG!!!!!!!!!!!!

SATANlKA 08:03:55 PM Aug 28 2007

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I live in New Mexico and would never live anywhere else. We had a snow storm here that lasted 2 weeks, I know that like a blink of an eye to you northern people but I was SO SICK OF SNOW. The Fall in New Mexico is the best and there is nothing to soothe the soul like walking in the desert while it's raining!

tdwid88 01:27:00 PM Aug 28 2007

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I've lived in SE Idaho all of my life and wouldn't relocate for anything. If you like winter, this is where it's at. 9 months of winter, 3 of summer with very little spring or fall inbetween. I live at 7200 feet in a mountain farm valley, population of under 100, and get snowed in quite often. We don't have groceries or gas within 20 miles so we are always prepared for the worst. Come live in Idaho. Winter lovers strive here.

kpsra 12:07:26 PM Aug 28 2007

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I heard you can snow ski in Michigan in the summer? Is that true?

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