Farmers’ Almanac predicts a wet and wild winter for Maine

The 208th edition of the Farmers’ Almanac predicts this winter will be a “wet whirlwind.” It claims there will be a lot of precipitation and storms.

The astronomical start of winter begins with the winter solstice on Dec. 21. This winter, La Niña, which refers to the periodic cooling of ocean surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific, is expected to develop and hang on through the season.

Considering the effect La Niña has on the weather, along with the Farmers’ Almanac’s long-standing formula, it anticipates the winter of 2024-25 will be wet and cold for most locations.

According to the Farmers’ Almanac, winter in New England and the Northeast will be stormy with above-normal amounts of winter precipitation and near- to above-normal temperatures.

Snow will be most prevalent over the interior and mountainous terrains, while sleet and rain will be more common near the coast, especially near and along the Interstate 95 corridor.

The Farmers’ Almanac said the coldest outbreak of the season will come during the final week of January into the beginning of February, when frigid Arctic air brings a sharp plunge in temperatures almost nationwide.

The Farmers’ Almanac is “red flagging” the final week of January over most of the eastern half of the country because of a very active storm track that it expects will deliver frequent bouts of heavy precipitation, as well as strong and gusty winds.

They are highlighting the time frames from Jan. 20-23 and 24-27, which could mean copious amounts of snow, rain, sleet and ice depending on where you live.

First released in 1818, the Farmer’s Almanac uses a time-tested formula to predict upcoming winter weather, fun facts and advice.

“These forecasts are created using a tried-and-true formula that adapts to the mysteries of nature and the ever-changing world in which we live,” the Farmer’s Almanac said. “The basis of our prediction method was developed by our founding editor according to correlations between celestial events and various meteorological conditions.”