Rough Winter Ahead For Illinois? Farmers' Almanac Releases 2018 Forecast

The Farmers’ Almanac has released its long-range prediction for winter 2018. The news isn't good for Illinois, unless you like to go sledding or you drive a four-wheel-drive truck. The publication predicts this winter will be a bit more “normal” as far as the temperatures are concerned, but that isn't necessarily a good thing unless you like the cold.

As far as precipitation goes, Illinois could also see a return to normal after a relatively mild winter in 2016. How much snow can we expect in the Land of Lincoln? A good amount in the Great Lakes area, which includes Illinois, Wisconsin and Michigan, according to the Farmers' Almanac:

From the Great Lakes into the Northeast, snowier-than-normal conditions are expected. We can hear the skiers, boarders, and snowmobilers cheering from here!

The almanac also offers a forecast for the next three months for Illinois and the rest of the Great Lakes region:

August

• 16th-19th. Mostly fair.
• 20th-23rd. The Moon’s shadow could fall on clouds. Unsettled/wet followed by clearing skies.
• 24th-27th. Another round of big thunderstorms; heavy-to-severe activity sweeps across the Ohio Valley from the South and West.
• 28th-31st. Heavier thunderstorm activity

September

• 1st-3rd. Showery conditions, followed by clearing skies. 4th-7th. Generally clear and pleasant.
• 4th-7th. Generally clear and pleasant.
• 8th-11th. Thunderstorms followed by improving weather.
• 12th-15th. Mainly fair.
• 16th-19th. Rain, especially over the Great Lakes, followed by clearing, cooler conditions.
• 20th-23rd. Severe thunderstorms race rapidly toward the Great Lakes.
• 24th-27th. Thunderstorms rapidly rumble on through the Ohio River Valley and points east, followed by clearing and colder conditions.
• 28th-30th. Squally weather moves in from the West.

October

• 1st-3rd. A spell of enjoyable, dry weather.
• 4th-7th.Very unsettled/wet conditions develop.
• 8th-11th. Squally over Indiana/Ohio and all points east; clearing by the 11th.

Click here to read the full long-range forecast by the Farmers’ Almanac.

PHOTO: Flickr, Niq Scott

Tom Davis (Patch Staff) contributed to this article