Farmers' Almanac: NJ Winter Forecast Drearier Than Usual

NEW JERSEY – Do the dipping temperatures have you hoping that summer's heat is about to give way to a refreshingly cool fall? What's actually on the way could fill you with dread, or so says the Farmer's Almanac.

The centuries-old forecaster has released its prediction of what's to come this winter – and it's pretty awful (see month-by-month breakdown below).

"The Northeast, including the densely populated corridor running from Washington to Boston, will experience colder-than-normal temperatures for much of the upcoming winter," the almanac said.

Read more: Hurricane Dorian Turns North: What Does This Mean For NJ?

The coldest snap will hit during the last week of January 2020 and stretch into February, according to the forecast.

And yes, you can expect a lot of snow.

"The almanac calls for above-normal winter precipitation over the eastern third of the country as well as the Great Plains, Midwest and the Great Lakes," according to the prediction.

"With colder-than-normal temperatures in the Northeast and above-normal precipitation expected, our outlook forewarns of not only a good amount of snow, but also a wintry mix of rain and sleet—especially along the coast."

Don't expect an early spring next year, the almanac says. As well as cold and icy, this coming winter is going to be long.

"According to our long-range outlook, spring will be slow to start with winter lingering across the Midwest, Great Lakes, Northeast, and New England. Occasional wet snow and unseasonably chilly conditions will hang on for a ride that you may not be able to get off until April,' the almanac said.

The Farmers' Almanac was founded In New Hampshire by David Young in 1818 and uses secret formulas to predict the weather that are kept closely guarded. It's not to be confused with The Old Farmer's Almanac, which has been forecasting the weather since 1792.

Here is the month-by-month forecast breakdown, and when we should expect the worst:

November

• 1−3: Cold spell, especially New England, down to Mid-Atlantic States. Dry/chilly for New York City Marathon.
• 8−11: Rapid temperature changes, with storm intensifying, moving east: Heavy rain/wet snow. Then colder.
• 16−19: Light snow/flurries, cold.
• 28−30: Storm along Atlantic Coast, increasing winds, copious precipitation; not good for Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

December

• 4−7: Coastal storm; mixed precipitation, frigid air.
• 16−19: Rain/wintery mix, gusty winds.
• 20−23: Lingering rain showers, wet snow.
• 24−27: Wet/white for Chrstimas
• 28−31: Year ends on blustery, colder note; frequent snow showers, flurries.

January

• 1−3: Cold front brings rain/snow showers. Wet, windy for Mummers Parade in Philadelphia.
• 4−7: Storm moving from Mid-Atlantic to Cape Cod brings significant snow (4-8”).
• 20−23: Fair, very cold.
• 24−27: Gusty winds; rain changing to snow.

Feburary

• 4−7: Storm strengthens south of Long Island and intensifies as it moves northeast. Two to five inches of snow from NYC, points north and east; lesser amounts south and west.
• 8−11: Light snow, flurries.
• 20−23: Some snow, flurries.
• 24−29: Fair, then unsettled with snow and rain.

March

• 1−3: Wet, then clear/cold.
• 8−11: Stormy, then fair/very mild.
• 20−23: A slow-moving storm brings strong winds and heavy precipitation.