{
  "id": 461688,
  "title": "Farmers' Almanac Predicts What Winter 2026-27 Has in Store for the US",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/10/farmers-almanac-predicts-what-winter-2026-27-has-in-store-for-the-us",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-10T10:35:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Newsweek",
    "slug": "newsweek",
    "url": "https://www.newsweek.com/farmers-almanac-predicts-winter-2026-27-us-12302604"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Farmers' Almanac has released its winter outlook for 2026-27, predicting a varied season across the United States. The publication suggests a mix of wet conditions in the southern states, colder spells in northern regions, and an intricate pattern in the Northeast. El Niño, characterized by warmer-than-average Pacific Ocean waters, is expected to have a significant impact on the weather patterns.\n\nThe Almanac anticipates stormy conditions from Southern California through Texas, the Gulf Coast, and the Southeast, which could lead to muddy landscapes and occasional periods of cold air. When this cold air meets the abundant moisture, the forecast suggests potential for sleet, freezing rain, or heavy, wet snow.\n\nNorthern areas, including the West, northern Plains, Upper Midwest, and Great Lakes, are likely to experience near-normal temperatures. However, the Almanac warns that brief wintry episodes, such as sudden snow events, quick cold snaps, and windy conditions, are still possible.\n\nIn the central U.S., the forecast predicts frequent freeze-thaw cycles. The Northeast is expected to face a particularly complex winter, with coastal areas potentially seeing rain or mixed precipitation, while inland regions could be more vulnerable to heavy, wet snow, especially in January and February.\n\nThe Pacific Northwest is forecast to have a more unpredictable winter, with snow conditions less dependable than in previous years. Meanwhile, some parts of the northern Plains and Upper Midwest may become drier as the southern storm track dominates, though the Almanac still anticipates occasional bouts of wind, snow, and cold.\n\nThe wettest regions are expected to be the California and the Southwest, extending eastward to Texas, the Gulf Coast, and the Southeast. A secondary storm path along the East Coast could also increase the likelihood of rain, snow, or wintry mix from the mid-Atlantic into New England.\n\nThe Almanac's winter outlook is based on its proprietary formula, which considers natural cycles, solar activity, lunar influences, and historical weather patterns, alongside modern forecasting tools such as satellites, computer modeling, and meteorological data. The forecast for the 2026-27 winter season is also influenced by El Niño, which is currently underway and expected to strengthen during the season. NOAA's Climate Prediction Center, in alignment with the Almanac, predicts a similar influence of El Niño on winter weather patterns across North America. While NOAA predicts above-normal precipitation in parts of the southern U.S., it forecasts below-normal precipitation for the Northwest, north-central U.S., and Great Lakes. The temperature outlook varies between the two forecasts, with NOAA favoring above-normal temperatures across large portions of the West and East.",
  "summary": "The Farmers’ Almanac forecasts a regionally varied winter, with more southern storms and changeable conditions elsewhere.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}