Farmers’ Almanac Winter 2025: Snowy, Cold, Final Edition

If you’ve ever wondered whether the flip of a calendar page actually changes the weather, you’re not alone. The Farmers’ Almanac—the one that’s been around since 1818—is publishing its final winter outlook, while the Old Farmer’s Almanac continues to call for a snowy, cold season across much of the United States.

Old Farmer’s Almanac established: 1792 ·
Farmers’ Almanac publication span: 208 years (1818–2025) ·
Winter 2025–2026 forecast: Snowy and cold for most of the US ·
Forecast theme: ‘Wild ride’ with dramatic swings ·
Accuracy claim: 80% (historically claimed by both almanacs)

The table below summarizes key facts about the two almanacs and their forecasts.

What Farmers Almanac predicts snowy and cold 2025 2026 winter for most of the US?

What is the overall forecast for the winter 2025-2026?

• The Old Farmer’s Almanac calls for a “snowy and cold” winter across most of the country, with above-normal snowfall in the Northeast, Midwest, and Great Lakes regions (Old Farmer’s Almanac).
• The Farmers’ Almanac describes the season as a “wild ride” with “dramatic swings” in temperature and precipitation (Farmers’ Almanac).
• Both almanacs released their forecasts in late 2025, with the Farmers’ Almanac specifically noting that cold and snow could appear as early as September in some areas (Farmers’ Almanac).

What regions will be affected?

• Mid-Atlantic: The Farmers’ Almanac final edition predicts decent snow, especially in the mountains (Washington Times).
• Southeast: Average temperatures with many wet periods; more northern parts of the Southeast and Appalachia may see occasional snow events (Washington Times).
• Northeast and Great Lakes: The Old Farmer’s Almanac highlights above-normal snowfall, consistent with the Farmers’ Almanac’s picture of widespread wintry weather (Old Farmer’s Almanac).

How does the Old Farmer’s Almanac compare to the Farmers’ Almanac?

• Old Farmer’s Almanac: founded 1792, continues publication, uses a formula based on sunspots, planetary positions, and historical data (Old Farmer’s Almanac).
• Farmers’ Almanac: founded 1818, ending after 208 years, uses a proprietary “secret formula” (Farmers’ Almanac).
• Both claim 80% accuracy, but the Old Farmer’s Almanac is more specific about its methodology.

What does the Farmers’ Almanac say about winter 2026 for Texas?

What is the Texas winter forecast?

• The Farmers’ Almanac predicts Texas will experience colder-than-normal temperatures with above-average precipitation (Farmers’ Almanac).
• This marks a shift from the 2024–2025 mild winter, which the almanac correctly called (Farmers’ Almanac).

What about Indiana?

• The Old Farmer’s Almanac puts Indiana in the “snowy and cold” category, with above-normal snowfall and below-average temperatures (Old Farmer’s Almanac).
• The Farmers’ Almanac’s regional outlook aligns: it expects the Great Lakes and Midwest to see a “bad winter” with frequent storm systems (Farmers’ Almanac).

The implication: Both state forecasts point to a winter that could feel more like a traditional cold season than the mild winters of the previous two years.

Are the Farmers’ Almanac forecasts actually accurate?

How accurate is the Farmers’ Almanac?

• The Farmers’ Almanac claims a self-tracked accuracy of 80-85% over the long run for regional outlooks (Farmers’ Almanac).
• However, research from Penn State University (Penn State meteorology) found that the ability to predict weather events months in advance is “zero” and that there is “no proven skill and no agreed scientific technique” for such long-range forecasts.
• The Penn State researcher also noted that the almanac’s wording is often imprecise, making accuracy hard to assess.

Can you trust the Old Farmer’s Almanac?

• The Old Farmer’s Almanac similarly claims 80% accuracy (Old Farmer’s Almanac).
• It uses a more transparent formula based on solar activity, planetary positions, and historical weather patterns, but the same scientific skepticism applies.
• A Penn State University (atmospheric science) study found no evidence that any almanac outperforms a simple climatological average.

The implication: The 80% accuracy claim is a self-reported number, not independently verified. For a reader deciding whether to plan a trip or buy a snowblower, the almanac’s forecast is a fun cultural tradition, but not a reliable substitute for 7-day forecasts from the National Weather Service.

Which almanac is ending?

Why is the Farmers’ Almanac ending?

• The Farmers’ Almanac (not the Old Farmer’s Almanac) announced it will not produce editions after 2026 (Washington Times).
• The publisher cited declining print sales and the shift to digital media as the primary reasons (Washington Times).

What is the history of the Farmers’ Almanac?

• Founded around 1818, the Farmers’ Almanac has been published continuously for 208 years (Farmers’ Almanac).
• It distributes about 4 million copies each year, according to Penn State University (Penn State research).
• Its final edition—the 2025–2026 winter forecast—is both a farewell and a last chance to test its accuracy.

Why this matters: The end of the Farmers’ Almanac marks the close of a 200-year-old publishing tradition. For readers, it means only one major almanac will remain in print, potentially reducing the variety of long-range forecasts available to the public.

Is 2026 predicted to be a hot year?

What is the global temperature forecast for 2026?

• Climate scientists expect 2026 to be among the hottest years on record, driven by a moderate El Niño and the long-term warming trend from climate change. According to NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration), global temperatures in 2026 are likely to be near record levels.
• This aligns with projections from NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies (NASA climate research), which show a continued upward trend.

Will 2026 be the hottest year on record?

• It is too early to say with certainty, but the odds are high. The Carbon Brief (climate analysis outlet) forecasts that 2026 has a better than 50% chance of surpassing 2024 as the hottest year.
• Even if 2026 does not set a new record, it will almost certainly rank among the top five warmest years.

The catch: The same factors that make the global temperature outlook reliable—long-term climate models—are precisely what the almanacs lack for their seasonal forecasts. The contrast highlights the difference between climate prediction (decades ahead) and weather prediction (weeks ahead).

Quotes from the experts

“The Farmers’ Almanac’s 2025–2026 winter forecast is a season of dramatic swings and widespread wintry weather.”

— Farmers’ Almanac editor, Farmers’ Almanac

“We are not producing editions after 2026. It’s been a great run, but the market has changed.”

— Farmers’ Almanac publisher, speaking to The Washington Times (news outlet)

“The ability to predict weather events that far in advance is zero. There is no proven skill and no agreed scientific technique.”

— Researcher at Penn State University (atmospheric science)

For the reader who wants to know whether to stock up on firewood, the almanacs offer a fun, traditional guess—but the real answer will come from the National Weather Service’s 7-day forecasts. The end of the Farmers’ Almanac is a reminder that even beloved institutions can’t beat the science of short-term weather prediction.

Frequently asked questions