Old Farmer's Almanac forecast calls for a cold season

Friday, December 19, 2008

Even though the first day of winter doesn't arrive until December 21, we have already seen snow and ice in Putnam County and according to the 2009 Old Farmer's Almanac more is coming.

According to the Almanac, the early snow is indicative of a nationwide cold winter on the way.

"Most regions will have below-normal winter temperatures, on average with the heaviest snowfall extending from the Ozarks northeastward into southern New England," says the book.

So far, the Almanac has been accurate. Snow showers began falling about 11 a.m. Tuesday in Putnam County giving the area its first real taste of winter's nastiness this season.

As much as two inches of snow accumulation was predicted this week as temperatures across the region hovered just near freezing during the day. But instead of snow Putnam County got freezing rain and then rain.

"I didn't have any problems on my way to work," said David Morris, a delivery driver. "The streets are pretty decent but I'm not sure what they will be like tonight."

Forecasts for the weekend have more cold and wind coming today over the weekend.

With Christmas less than a week away, everyone is wondering about having a white Christmas. The Almanac says that folks in the Northeast, the Appalachians, the Southeast, the Lower Lakes area, the Ohio Valley, the Upper Midwest, and even the Deep South might see flurries on Christmas morning.

The weather prognosticators at The Old Farmer's Almanac expect the La Niņa that developed in the Pacific Ocean during the winter of 2007--08 to continue into the coming winter. That means cooler and drier-than-normal conditions for much of the western United States, but skiers everywhere should not despair: Snow and numerous snowstorms are predicted for most areas that normally receive snow.

The 2009 Old Farmer's Almanac tells us that April and May will be warmer than normal here in Indiana.

Since 1792, The Old Farmer's Almanac has been providing American families with weather predictions that are traditionally 80-percent accurate. Some years, their accuracy rate exceeded even their own expectations: In the 2008 edition, the forecasted winter temperatures were within one degree of actual temperatures.

The 2009 Old Farmer's Almanac is available for $5.99 wherever books and magazines are sold. Individual copies or subscriptions can be ordered at Almanac.com or by calling 800-ALMANAC.

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