Farmer's Almanac: Bitter, Cold Winter Forecast

By Sharon McLoone

Bundle up this winter says the latest Farmers’ Almanac, which hit newsstands this week.

The nearly 200-year-old publication predicts a colder-than-normal winter for more than half of the United States and heavy snowfall in the Midwest, Great Lakes and New England. Residents of the Mid-Atlantic should be prepared to get copious amounts of snow or rain this winter, according to the almanac.

The almanac also predicts a big winter Nor’easter due right around Feb. 1 through Feb. 3 – that’s when the first Super Bowl held outdoors is happening Feb. 2 at the Meadowlands in New Jersey.

But don't stock up on the long johns yet. The Capital Weather Gang says the forecast is “baseless and lacks credibility.” The Washington Post weather bloggers say last year the Farmers’ Almanac called for cold weather in the East and mild weather in the West, which was wrong.

The Maine-based Farmers’ Almanac should not be confused with the also well-known New Hampshire-based Old Farmers’ Almanac, which will be published next month. 

Are you ready for another Snowmaggedon like the Washington, DC metro area experienced in 2009 and 2010? Tell us in the comments.