It's officially spring, but certain parts of the country are still feeling the lingering chill of winter. If you're wondering when temps will warm up, Accuweather recently revealed its thoughts on the matter, and now the Old Farmer’s Almanac and the Farmers’ Almanac have released their long-range spring weather outlooks. While both almanacs have a record of accurate weather predictions, the two sources do offer slightly different perspectives on the upcoming forecast.
Old Farmer's Almanac weather predictions
The Old Farmer’s Almanac, established in 1792, suggests warmer-than-average temperatures for much of the U.S., except for regions like Southern and Central California, the Desert Southwest and southern Florida. It warns that the Intermountain West should keep jackets handy into June, as chilly spells may bring a late frost. Severe weather is expected to be active, especially in the Deep South, with more frequent thunderstorms. The almanac also predicts drier conditions for northern New England, Texas, Oklahoma and parts of the Midwest and Pacific Northwest.
Farmers' Almanac weather predictions
The Farmers’ Almanac, founded in 1818, takes a more cautious view. It forecasts a “cool and stormy” spring for much of the country, with warmer weather reserved for the Southeast. It expects a slow start to spring warmth in the Midwest, Great Lakes, New England and the Northeast, which contradicts the Old Farmer’s Almanac’s warmer outlook for these regions. However, the two almanacs agree that the Pacific Northwest will see cooler temperatures extending into June.
Both almanacs use a blend of space weather, climatology and meteorology to make their long-term predictions—methods that differ from the short-term data-driven approaches of meteorologists. While these outlooks offer some guidance, the unpredictable nature of weather means that the reality of spring could still surprise us. Whether you're planning your garden or just hoping for a warm day, it might be wise to keep an umbrella and a jacket close.