Farmers Almanac: Illinois winter to be 'cold, wet, and white'

(The Center Square) – If the Farmers’ Almanac is correct with its forecast , this winter is going to be unpleasant in Illinois.

The publication has been around since 1818, and has provided weather forecasts since day one.

Editor Sandi Duncan said many factors go into their weather forecasting, including celestial events and the impact of a La Nina weather pattern.

“We also look at sun spot activity, the motion of the moon and a variety of other proprietary factors,” said Duncan.

She said Illinois can expect a winter that is cold, wet and white. Above-average precipitation is forecasted for the eastern third of the U.S., including the Great Lakes, Ohio Valley and Midwest. Her publication is red flagging the last week of January for most of the eastern half of the U.S. as they expect an active storm track that will dump frequent bouts of heavy precipitation.

Last winter’s strange anomalies were driven by an El Niño event, but this year’s steadier La Niña influence should bring more consistent winter weather patterns.

While the Almanac predicts the coldest temperatures to be in the Great Lakes region, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Illinois could see slightly above average temperatures from December through February.

Duncan noted that the Farmers Almanac hit on some of its predictions for last winter, including heavy snow from Colorado to the Plains that threatened Christmas travel.

“We do try to remind everybody that not anyone is 100% accurate and Mother Nature likes to throw out the first few curveballs as well as she likes to unravel her mysteries,” said Duncan.