Farmers Almanac
As homeowners across the country pray for a mild winter to offset rising energy costs, the world-famous Farmers’ Almanac is warning us to prepare for the worst. “Numb’s the word!” is how the 192-year-old publication is predicting the upcoming winter season.
For 2008–2009, the Farmers’ Almanac is forecasting a “numbing” winter, with below-average temperatures for at least two-thirds of the country. Only the Far West and Southeast will see near-normal temperatures. Few, if any, locations will enjoy many above-normal temperature days this upcoming season.
Snow?
Precipitation-wise, most of the South, as well as the Midwest, should experience above-normal conditions, while the rest of the nation will average close to normal. With below-normal winter temperatures and an above-normal precipitation forecast, the Great Lakes and Midwest will see above-normal snowfalls, especially during January and February.
Above-normal precipitation is forecast for the Southwest during December 2008 and for the Southeast in January and February 2009. It should also turn out to be an unusually wet and/or snowy February across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic.
In contrast, for the Pacific Northwest, where wet weather is usually the rule during the winter, February could actually turn out to be a bit drier than normal.
Canada
Farmers Almanac Canada
As homeowners across the country pray for a mild winter to offset rising energy costs, the world-famous Canadian Farmers’ Almanac is warning us to prepare for the worst. “Numb’s the word!” is how the 192-year-old publication is predicting the upcoming winter season.
For 2008–2009, the Canadian Farmers’ Almanac is forecasting a “numbing” winter, during which temperatures will average below normal for much of the country.
For most of Alberta , Saskatchewan, Manitoba and westernmost Ontario, temperatures will average much below seasonal norms. The coldest temperatures can be expected during January and February. In some cases, minus 40 degrees Celsius, or even minus 45 degrees Celsius, may not be out of the question.
It will also be unusually cold during the month of January in Quebec and in the Maritimes. Only British Columbia will see near-normal temperatures through the winter.
Precipitation-wise, the region around the Great Lakes could receive above-normal amounts, while the rest of the nation will have averages close to normal. An unusually wet and/or snowy February forQuebec and the Maritimes is also in the forecast.
In contrast, in British Columbia, where wet weather is usual during the winter, February could actually turn out to be a bit drier than normal.
