COLUMBUS – The people who have been forecasting weather a year ahead of time for more than two centuries say we won’t have to fear a return of the polar vortex or Snowmaggedon this winter.
According to the new edition of The Old Farmer’s Almanac, the winter of 2016-17 will be warmer than normal with slightly below-normal precipitation in the Ohio Valley, which includes Columbus.
The annual publication – always chock-full of homespun advice and tips – predicts the coldest periods will be in early to mid-January, from late January into early February, and in late February.
The snowiest periods will be in late January and early to mid-February.
Published in New Hampshire, The Old Farmer’s Almanac marks its 225th anniversary this year.
A rival publication – The Maine-based Farmers’ Almanac — will come out with its 200th edition.
According to the prognosticators — who guard their secret forecasting methods as jealously as Coca-Cola guards its formula or Col. Sanders his 11 herbs and spices – say April and May 2017 will be warmer than normal, with above-normal rainfall.
Summer will be cooler and slightly drier than normal, with the hottest periods in early and mid-July and mid-August.
September and October will be rainier than normal, with near-normal temperatures.
Plan accordingly.