Community Corner
‘New’ Old Farmer’s Almanac Winter 2020 Predictions For Illinois
The Old Farmer's Almanac and the Farmers' Almanac might have almost identical names, but their long-range forecasts differ drastically.
ILLINOIS — With the summer months now behind us, thoughts are turning to winter across the United States. The Old Farmer’s Almanac, which is not to be confused with its rival forecast predictor, Farmer’s Almanac, recently released its prediction for 2020.
The centuries-old forecaster, founded in 1792, is predicting Illinois can expect weather that's "mild, with soakers" in the coming months. It’s a prediction that contradicts the forecast from the 2019-20 Farmers’ Almanac, a "frozen, snowy" winter.
The Old Farmer's Almanac calls for "snowy, icky, icy" weather in Illinois' neighboring states, and while most of Illinois could see a mild winter, most of the Midwest "could feel like the never-ending winter." That echoes the Farmers' Almanac's prediction that "wet snow and unseasonably chilly conditions will hang on for a ride that you may not be able to get off until April!" The Old Farmer's Alamanac was just slightly more optimistic, saying wintry weather will last well into March.
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The first day of spring is March 19, 2020.
Find out what's happening in Across Illinoisfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The two meteorological publishers have polar opposite predictions in some regions across the country. Followers of the Old Farmer’s Almanac in the Northeast are bracing for a “Wet & Wild” winter 2019-20, whereas devotees of the Farmers’ Almanac are preparing for a “Frosty, Wet & White” winter season.
A collection of states will escape the long winter though, as Florida, the Gulf Coast, and Texas will have mostly pleasant weather for the entirety of the season.
According to The Old Farmer’s Almanac, the 2020 winter in the U.S. will be remembered for storms that bring an unrelenting amount of rain, sleet and snow — including seven “big snowstorms” across the country.
The Old Farmer’s Almanac is North America’s oldest continuously published periodical, according to their website. The organization is based in New Hampshire, and their mission statement remains:
“Our main endeavour is to be useful, but with a pleasant degree of humor.”
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