This Winter Will Be Warmer Than Normal, Farmers Almanac Says—What That Means for Your Region
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Now that Labor Day weekend is behind us, we can start transitioning our wardrobes and kitchens for fall . We’re replacing swimwear with cozy sweaters and flip-flops for suede clogs. Instead of fresh berries and plump tomatoes, we’re stocking up on crisp apples, baking ingredients, and pumpkin recipes. But if you’re sad that summer is ending, the Farmer’s Almanac might be able to help turn that frown upside down. Weather forecasters are predicting a “calmer, gentler” winter for the 2024-2025 season, per a new release.
RELATED: “Tornado Alley” Is Spreading—These Areas Are Now at Risk .
Many regions are in store for a mild, wet winter this December, January, and February, according to the Farmer’s Almanac. Previously, the organization forecasted “a season of rapid-fire storms that will bring both rain and snow, with little downtime in between.” But, the Farmer’s Almanac now says that this winter is expected to be “temperate” and “uneventful.”
“This winter, temperatures will be up and snowfall down throughout most of the United States,” said Farmer’s Almanac editor-in-chief Carol Connare . “While there will still be plenty of chilly temperatures and snow for most slopes, the high heating costs associated with the season shouldn’t hit so hard. We’re predicting a temperate, uneventful winter—potentially a welcome reprieve from the extremes of recent years.”
Winter weather patterns will vary by region, with many areas experiencing warmer-than-normal temperatures. For instance, precipitation and snowfall are expected to be below normal in the Northeast, a region that’s traditionally known for turning into a winter wonderland. The coldest periods will be mid-December and late February, but the Farmer’s Almanac says January is predicted to be four degrees warmer than normal.
Meanwhile, the Atlantic Corridor will catch a break from harsh winter temperatures in mid-January and early February, while snowfall is expected to be below normal as well.
RELATED: Meteorologists Are Predicting Up to 10 More Hurricanes in the Next Month .
In the Southeast (Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina), winter temperatures “will be cooler than normal in the east and warmer than normal in the west,” per the release. Lots of rain and snow are also predicted, with the worst of it occurring in late November, late January, and late February. Florida will have near-average temperatures, but the sun will be at its warmest in February.
The Lower Lakes region (states bordering Lake Michigan) has mixed predictions. “Winter will be warmer than normal in the east and colder than normal in the west,” reads the winter forecast. Little rainfall or snowfall is also expected.
The Deep South (Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas, Tennessee, and neighboring states) will experience lots of rain and warmth this winter, according to the Farmer’s Almanac predictions.
The forecast for the Upper Midwest (Minnesota and Wisconsin in particular) includes above-normal temperatures and low rainfall and snowfall compared to what is considered usual for that region. Very similar weather patterns will sweep across Iowa, Missouri, eastern Kansas, and Nebraska, a region nicknamed the Heartland. Snowfall and chilly temperatures aren’t expected until late January and February.
Unlike winters past, the 2024-2025 season will be warm and dry for Texas and Oklahoma. While winter is expected to bring warmer-than-average temperatures for the Pacific Northwest, the Farmer’s Almanac says Californians are in for a very wet winter.
However, a warmer winter isn’t forecasted in every region. The Ohio Valley, High Plains, Intermountain, Pacific Northwest, and Desert Southwest are expected to have cooler temperatures and above-average rainfall and/or snowfall.
The Farmer’s Almanac’s full detailed list with exact timelines and temperature predictions for this upcoming winter can be found online.
Meteorologists Are Predicting Up to 10 More Hurricanes in the Next Month
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Despite what the drink menu at Starbucks says, we’re still a month out from the first official day of fall. However, Mother Nature seems to be just as eager as we are to throw on a cozy sweater and grab a PSL. The temperatures are cooling down, and climate patterns appear to be falling into their typical autumn routine (crisp morning air, we missed you!). Unfortunately, weather experts predict it won’t stay like this for long. While another summer heatwave isn’t on the horizon, meteorologists warn we could see an unprecedented amount of hurricanes between now and the end of September.
RELATED: This Winter Will Be Full of “Rapid-Fire Storms,” Farmers’ Almanac Predicts .
Hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 3, with peak season occurring around early-to-mid September. Thus far, five named storms have hit the Atlantic Basin, including Hurricane Beryl and Tropical Storm Debby, but meteorologists expect that number to quintuple.
In a typical year, 14 named storms will make landfall, seven of which turn into hurricanes. But now, the NOAA predicts that this season will bring as many as 24 named storms, and eight to 13 of those will escalate into hurricanes—with many of these potentially happening in mere weeks.
With peak storm season right around the corner, AccuWeather issued a stark advisory for “back-to-back tropical threats in the Atlantic Basin.” The team’s expert meteorologists forecast up to 10 hurricanes from Aug. 27, 2024, to Sept. 30, 2024.
“We could see a parade of storms developing during the month of September. There’s a possibility that we could see multiple tropical storms and hurricanes in the Atlantic basin on the same day, similar to the frequency of storms that we’ve seen during other supercharged hurricane seasons like 2020,” said AccuWeather lead hurricane expert Alex DaSilva .
“The statistical peak of the hurricane season is Sept. 10, and we expect the Atlantic basin to be incredibly active,” he added.
The NOAA’s Weather Service is urging the public to brush up on hurricane safety rules, especially those living along the Atlantic coast. “Prepare for threats like damaging winds, storm surge and inland flooding from heavy rainfall,” per the notice. Additionally, the NOAA advises having an evacuation plan in place.
“We’re continuing to see the climatological hallmarks of an active season,” said Matthew Rosencrans , lead hurricane season forecaster with NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center. “Sea surface temperatures remain abnormally high, and La Niña is still expected to emerge during the hurricane season, so the time to prepare is now.”
