The 'Farmers' Almanac' winter forecast is out. What does it mean for Ohio?

Start preparing now: This winter is set to be colder and stormier than last year.

"Farmers' Almanac" just released its winter 2024 extended weather forecast predicting far from a calm winter for Ohio.

The extended weather forecast, which is based on the almanac's mathematical and astronomical formula, predicts a cold winter that will include snowstorms and below-average temperatures.

'Farmers' Almanac' says winter is making a 'comeback'

Winter officially starts on Thursday, Dec. 21 this year, but "Farmers' Almanac" is predicting a cold winter that will start earlier than that.

Despite 2022's warm winter, 2023 is expected to be a more traditional cold and snowy winter.

The forecast included below-average temperatures and lots of snowstorms, sleet, ice and rain for much of the Midwest and Great Lakes, especially in January and February.

And come March, the winter is predicted to hold on strong.

"March's extended forecast calls for wild swings in the thermometer," according to the Farmer's Almanac website. "And March could go out like a lion, with stormy conditions nationwide."

How accurate are almanac forecasts?

"Farmers' Almanac" has used the same forecast formula to predict the weather since its inception in 1818. The almanac claims readers have concluded it is accurate 85% of the time. However, most analyses of the almanac's predictions have indicated an accuracy rate of 50%.

In 2022, the almanac predicted an "unreasonable cold" and snowy winter for the Midwest. However, Ohio experienced summertime temperatures in winter and spring that resulted in more record-setting warm days than inches of snow.

tmoorman@dispatch.com

@taijuannichole

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: 'Farmers' Almanac' predicts 'cold, stormy' winter for Ohio