Farmers' Almanac predicts 'cold, wet and white' winter for Ohio this year. What to know

Get your rain boots and winter coats ready. The Farmers' Almanac predicts a wet and cold "winter whirlwind" this year.

The Farmers' Almanac has released its extended forecast for the 2024-25 winter season , and it's looking bleak. According to the report, much of the country should expect "rapid-fire storms" that include rain and snow, with "little downtime in between."

Here's what you should know about Ohio's winter weather forecast, according to the Farmers' Almanac.

What is the fall forecast for the Ohio Valley?

The arrival of the autumnal equinox on Sunday, Sept. 22, officially starts the fall season, and the Farmers' Almanac fall forecast predicts cooler-than-average temperatures for the Ohio Valley region .

While much of the eastern part of the country will experience near- or above-average rainfall in September, drier-than-average conditions are forecast for the Midwest, including Ohio. Above-normal precipitation is expected for October.

However, temperatures from the Great Lakes to the East Coast and the Central and Northern Plains are expected to warm in November. Precipitation will be near- or below-average in these areas as well.

What is Ohio's winter going to be like this year?

The periodical forecasts cold and wet conditions for the Ohio Valley and Midwest regions. The coldest time of the season will occur during the final week of January into the beginning of February, bringing heavy snow showers and squalls east of the Great Lakes region.

Above-average precipitation is expected over the eastern third of the country, especially the Great Lakes, Ohio Valley, and Midwest regions. The almanac states that the following dates may receive copious amounts of snow, rain, sleet, and ice: Jan. 20-24 and 27.

What's the two-month forecast for the Ohio Valley?

Here's what the Old Farmers Almanac (not to be confused with the Farmers' Almanac) predicts the remainder of August and September will look like.

August

• Aug. 11-22: Showers, then sunny; turning warm.
• Aug. 23-28: Sunny and warm.
• Aug. 29-31: Isolated showers, cooler.

September

• Sept. 1-5: Sunny; cool, then warmer.
• Sept. 6-7: Rain, heavy west; cool.
• Sept. 8-12: Sunny, mild.
• Sept. 13-20: Showers, then sunny; cool.
• Sept. 21-30: Rainy periods, cool.

When does winter start?

Meteorological winter starts Dec. 1, and astronomical winter begins Dec. 21.

When will winter end?

The 2025 spring equinox is March 20 , signaling the end of winter and the start of the new season. Meteorological spring starts March 1.

How does the Farmers' Almanac make its weather predictions?

The long-range forecasts for the Farmers' Almanac are calculated two years in advance and take "into consideration things like sunspot activity, tidal action of the Moon, the position of the planets, and a variety of other factors," according to the almanac's website.

The Farmers' Almanac claims an 80% accuracy rate for its forecasts, although some experts have disputed those claims.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Farmers' Almanac predicts 'cold, wet and white' winter for Ohio this year. What to know