Farmers' Almanac predicts another nasty winter

[NaturalHigh]

LEWISTON, Maine (AP) — The folks at the Farmers' Almanac can be forgiven for feeling smug: The 198-year-old publication correctly predicted the past nasty winter while federal forecasters blew it.

Memories of the polar vortex and relentless snowstorms won't soon be forgotten. And the editors of the publication are predicting more of the same for the coming season.

"Shivery and shovelry are back. We're calling for some frigid conditions, bitter conditions," said managing editor Sandi Duncan.

The latest edition, which officially goes on sale this week, forecasts colder-than-normal and wetter-than-usual weather for three-quarters of the country east of the Rocky Mountains. Drought-stricken California, along with the Pacific Northwest, will see normal precipitation and cool temperatures this winter, the almanac said.


http://newsok.com/farmers-almanac-predicts-another-nasty-winter/article/feed/726370

[still_one]

1. I hope we get rain in California

[NaturalHigh]

2. Me too.

[hrmjustin]

3. No, please no! Last winter was just plain harsh!

[RebelOne]

40. No, no, no, please no, no, no!

This winter was very brutal here in North Georgia. I had 4 pipes freeze up and break. Fortunately, my son was able to fix them so I didn't have to hire a plumber which would have cost me a fortunate. But because of the leaks, my water bill rose astronomically.

[dionysus]

41. did you get some heat tape for em now?

[bhikkhu]

4. Here's hoping the "normal winter" for the west coast holds up

we could sure use a break from drought.

[Generic Brad]

5. Every winter is nasty

Way to go out on climb there, Farmer's Almanac.

[NaturalHigh]

6. Maybe, but I definitely don't want another Snowmageddon like we had in 2010.

That was the most snow I have ever seen in Oklahoma.

[Marrah_G]

15. Some Winters are definitely more nasty then others

Some have tons of snow and others none at all. Some are freezing and others mild.

I'm going to hope for a mild one because last winter's heating bills blew my budget up.

[dionysus]

42. in western NY, one year, we set a record for 31 straight days of measurable snowfall.. the next

winter, I didn't need to shovel my driveway once.

Last year I used the snow blower only once, but it was bitter, bitter cold..

[fizzgig]

20. not here in northern colorado

we've had some balmy winters in recent memory. yeah, we get a week or so of frigid cold every winter, but we've had winters of almost nothing but shorts weather.

[NaturalHigh]

24. I spent two years in Denver.

Two hot summers and two cold winters. I was ready to kiss the ground when I got back to Oklahoma.

[fizzgig]

25. northern colorado has pretty nice weather for the most part.

yeah, this past winter would have frozen the balls off a brass monkey and the summer of 2012 was like living in mordor, but things are usually pretty comfortable here. we've been in the high 70s/low 80s the past few days and we've already dropped below 50 overnight. but denver generally gets more weather in the winter than the northern front range. and when it gets hot, at least it's a dry heat. yeah, the inside of my oven is a dry heat, too, but i can't breathe in heat and humidity.

the weather is one of the things that keeps me here.

[City Lights]

29. Not around these parts.

Some winters are mild; others are extremely harsh. I am NOT looking forward to another winter like we had last year.

[Cha]

7. Oh yeah? So does my friend in Hawaii who

predicted last year's huge winter storms. Told me about it way in advance.. turns out he was right. Well see about next winter.

"Drought-stricken California, along with the Pacific Northwest, will see normal precipitation and cool temperatures this winter, the almanac said."

Sounds great for California! Mahalo, NH

[Dark n Stormy Knight]

8. Well, I'm sure it's the least of most people's worries, but I'm afraid that means that,

in addition to the high oil bills, my hydrangeas won't bloom again next summer. It's been a great disappointment this year to have nearly all of them killed back after many years of having coaxed them into doing this:


https://flic.kr/p/oBnUyM][img][url=https://flic.kr/p/oBnUyM]P1000814b

[BrotherIvan]

19. That is your garden?

It's so beautiful you should charge admission! I am jeeeeaaaaalllllooooouuuuussss!

[Dark n Stormy Knight]

26. Thank you very much! You're too kind.

Last edited Mon Aug 25, 2014, 07:02 AM - Edit history (1)

Yes, it really is my garden. We built the house here in the woods in 1994, and so everything (but the weeds and most of the trees) was planted by me. Occasionally my husband does some of the heavy lifting, but we can't really afford helpers, so mostly it's just me. Good thing I enjoy it so!

But, as I was saying, it doesn't look quite like that this year. I still fee lucky to live in this lovely little place in the woods, but, as you might gather, the hydrangeas are the summer centerpiece, and the great majority of them did not bloom this year due to the long, cold, wet, windy winter.

Here's a couple more and a link to the rest of my garden pix on Flickr (45 in total, without titles, captions, or anything at this point), in case you'd like to have a look:

[BrotherIvan]

31. Amazing. It looks like heaven to this apartment dweller who longs for a garden.

Send the link when you get a chance. You must be in a different part of the country because you have flowers I've never seen in real life, like those little blue ones that look like blue bells. I'm so happy you shared it with us. Sharing the good things we do is just as important and makes the world feel more livable. Your garden looks so restful and serene in your pictures. You are a very talented landscaper!

[Dark n Stormy Knight]

32. Thanks very kindly, again! I'm so pleased you've enjoyed the photos.

Not long after I'd posted them, I'd had second thoughts about it and came back to delete, when I saw your reply, which made me decide to leave them up. And I apologize for neglecting to add the Flickr link. Here it is. I lost the log-in credentials for my original Flickr account (OK, accounts--this is the second time), so I just started this new one.

I'm guessing you're referring to the Virginia Bluebells, (officially Mertensia virginica; also Virginia Cowslip, Tree Lungwort, Roanoke-bells, Mertens, and Oysterleaf, according to the Hiker's Notebook), and what makes them even more awesome than you may realize is that the emerging buds are pink, turning blue as they open, creating a charming multicolored display in the early Spring.

I live in the woods in Southeastern Pennsylvania and it's an interesting challenge to work with a site that grows increasingly tempestuous--weather wise--and shady each year as the branches of the stately, colossal Tulip Poplars slowly but surely encroach more earnestly upon the open sky.

Not to mention the loud, incessant, grinding, grating 4-wheelers that increasingly disturb what serenity this landscape offers. But, honestly, I've spent very little time over the years in restful appreciation of these gardens, as I'm almost constantly working on them! So, yeah, that serenity thing is my next challenge. Well, right after I divide those hostas, and move that lilac bush, oh, and mulch the astilbes, and...

[BrotherIvan]

34. You have every right to brag!

I'm speechless after looking at those pictures. You haven't even posted the half of it. It looks like the most idyllic spot. I especially loved the bench near the bush with white flowers. The whole thing is just so lovely, I can't say enough about it.

In California, we have enviable weather, but we don't really have seasons. That means we miss out on beautiful spring flowers, but don't have to deal with snow. Here in SoCal, our spring was about four days in February. I think everyone missed it because who thinks Spring is going to show up in early February? Our weather has been getting more extreme, colder in winter and bloody hot this summer, and also the drought which is very bad. I've only seen flowers like that a few times in my life when I have been lucky enough to be traveling during spring. One of my fondest memories is seeing Edinburgh blanketed with daffodils. But you get quite a treat every year it seems.

Just beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing. I hope more people get a chance to see your beautiful photos. It's such a pleasure to see so much beauty and all the hard work you must have put into it.

[Dark n Stormy Knight]

36. I've spent a lot of time regretting the fact that I will never be able to move to California.

I do envy that weather! Not to mention the ocean, as in my CA fantasy I'd be living close to the beach. (Hell, since it's my fantasy, make that on the beach.) But, my one consolation is that, as you say, we have relatively distinct seasons here (although along with the increasing extremes, we also seem to be getting a lot more crossover.) And Spring really is one of the best.

If you ever get out to this part of the east coast, drop me a line and I'll show you my garden in person, and for free!

[BrotherIvan]

38. You bet I will!

I used to live in NYC for a about 5 years. It wasn't my favorite, the worst being the humidity in the summer. I'd only seen snow fall a handful of times before I lived there which my coworkers found very amusing. But the spring and fall are very nice. But having a house with a nice big backyard by the ocean is a real luxury these days which I don't think I'll ever get unless I move someplace rather uninhabited. Keep me posted and keep sharing pictures of your beautiful fairy playground!

[NaturalHigh]

35. You really do have an awesome garden.

It's obvious that you have put a lot of work into it.

[Dark n Stormy Knight]

37. Thank you, Natural High!

[MerryBlooms]

39. Gorgeous garden!

Our hydrangea also did poorly this summer-- NE Illinois. The rest of my flowers did wonderfully though, and my Bleeding Hearts were just outstanding.

[Dark n Stormy Knight]

43. Thanks, Merry! My condolences for your hydrangeas. Glad to hear the rest of your flowers

came through undaunted.

As for bleeding heart flowers--the first time I ever saw them was in a bouquet from one of my students. I thought it was a trick when they insisted that the bleeding heart flowers were real, and not some sort of wax fantasy! Now, they are one of the absolute best things about my Spring garden! And to this day I look upon them in awe.

[rosesaylavee]

9. Our climate has changed.

It will not change back. This is why we need our congress to start working on solutions with the rest of the globe. The drought in California is just a taste of the drought that will be happening in Kansas and Nebraska if we do nothing.

The jet stream is 'wobbly' because of the loss of ice in the arctic. How that will play out in the next few years (or even this year) as it continues to melt is not known as that has not happened before. We are in a climate crisis and it strikes me as not only odd but extremely frightening that a supposedly knowledgeable website can have a thread about the changes we are experiencing and no one other than me so far is connecting the dots to the Climate Crisis.

More info at the links below:

http://www.skepticalscience.com/
http://www.climate.gov/news-features
http://climaterealityproject.org/
http://citizensclimatelobby.org/

[KurtNYC]

28. I don't see anyone here denying climate change

the discussion now ignores the deniers to focus on the effects and courses of action.

[rosesaylavee]

33. No, it's more subtle than denial...

It's a throw back thread to how I really wish it could still be. 'Wishing' our winter would be better. 'Wishing' the drought would let up... see what I mean? I don't mean to be snarky... I just would like to come here and see some acknowledgement of the trend we are heading in is understood.

Thanks for your response tho... I am all about taking action on this.

[2naSalit]

10. Well...

up here in the northern Rockies, it sure looks like we're in for a hard winter but an early one as well. The arctic juncos came back over a week ago and the Canada Geese are already gathering for the migration; of all my nature-watching friends only one has seen one hummingbird all summer; the large ungulates seem to be doing their mating dances weeks earlier than normal; the bears are going into hyperphagia in August (normally this happens in late September). We've had snow hanging around from 8K ft and up into August; river levels never tapered off after the very late runoff we had in late June/early July and we are anticipating snow at the 8K ft level tonight. We kind of had an on again off again summer with a few days in the mid 80s followed by a few days of much cooler days with rain. We have grass in the forest that is about 5ft tall and it's still green, highly unusual.

I think the Almanac has still got its Moxie.

[NaturalHigh]

13. My family has always been big on the almanac.

My grandpa, in particular, used it for things like sowing crops and working calves.

[2naSalit]

17. When I was much younger

and living in northern New England, my family used it for all those things and to choose what we would need for the winter with regard to clothing and other considerations one would make in a place where the weather rules your life.

[kaiden]

27. Here in the Colorado foothills at 8,500 feet,

it was 32 degrees Sunday morning. We've had so much rain this summer the ground in the barnyard where our goats and llamas reside has slid down the hill, talking the soil around an old log cabin barn along with it, leaving barely enough soil to support the foundation. We have scant time before the predicted rains end and the snow begins to build a retaining wall and infill.

[amandabeech]

44. The juncos are back already?

My Mom, who lives in western Lower Michigan, gets scads of juncos every winter, but they don't usually show up until Oct. at the earliest. I'm going out for a brief trip this month, and I'll be looking out for them.

[Kennah]

11. Proof that Global Warming is a hoax dreamed up by Al Gore

[NightWatcher]

12. During our winter, Australia has their summer, right?

Let's crack open a Fosters and throw another shrimp on the cliche...mate.

[NaturalHigh]

14. Yeesh...I never could drink Fosters.

How about you have a Fosters and I'll stick with Bud?

[WCLinolVir]

16. All the predictions I've read agree.

The east coast will be colder, and the Mid-Atlantic may have a white Christmas.

[NaturalHigh]

18. When I was a kid, I thought a White Christmas was the greatest thing.

Not so much any more. I remember it taking me an hour and a half to get to work the day after Christmas in 2009. It was normally a thirty minute drive.

[WCLinolVir]

46. Snow is bad for commuting. Also lost hours cutting into a paycheck.

[safeinOhio]

21. My grandfather told me

years ago his Native American friend told him it was going to be a very bad winter. He said that all the signs point to it. Grandpa asked what signs were those. He said white man a has big pile of fire wood this year.

[NaturalHigh]

23. LOL...that's great!

[JVS]

22. FUCK!

[edhopper]

30. The Farmer's Almanac

gets it right little more than a roll of the dice.

http://news.psu.edu/story/141165/2007/09/24/research/probing-question-farmers-almanac-accurate

[politicat]

45. I'm expecting year 2 of Fimbulwinter, so...

Actually, given the ENSO and the fact that the arctic vortex seems to be happy in a permanent divorce... And the 21 year cycle... I'm expecting at least the Western US to be colder and damper than normal. The rest of ya'll... Don't know.

I'm hoping for West Coast rain and snow, though.