Farmers' Almanac releases 2025-2026 winter forecast. What to expect in Missouri

With summer now winding down, it's time to look ahead at what's in store for Missourians this upcoming winter season.

The latest edition of the Farmers' Almanac recently released its winter weather forecast for 2025-2026 with the tagline "Chill, Snow, Repeat," adding it will be "a season of dramatic swings and widespread wintry weather" overall for the U.S.

Winter may be months away, but now might be a good time to make sure you got your winter gear in check for the upcoming season.

Here's what to know about when the winter begins and what we can expect in Missouri this year, per the Farmers' Almanac.

When is the first day of winter 2025?

Winter officially begins in December, though the exact date depends on whether you follow the meteorological or astrological seasons.

Meteorological seasons are broken down into four groupings of three months, with Dec. 1 marking the start of winter every single year.

But, astronomically speaking, the first day of winter begins on the winter solstice — the day when the the sun is at its lowest point in the sky. Therefore, it does not fall on the same date every year, with it currently shifting between Dec. 21 or 22.

This year's winter solstice will be on Dec. 21, which also marks the shortest day and longest night of the calendar year for the Northern Hemisphere.

What does the Farmers' Almanac predict for winter in Missouri?

The almanac predicts it will be a "very cold [and] snowy" winter for North Central states (which includes Missouri), resulting in the states forecast for a "classic winter wonderland."

Snowstorms are expected mid-February in Kansas and Nebraska and in mid-March in the Central Plains.

Easter may even bring light snow to the Dakotas and Minnesota, while it will be chilly but clear in Iowa, Kansas and Missouri.

How accurate is the Farmers' Almanac?

The Farmers' Almanac claims "many longtime Almanac followers maintain [its] forecasts are 80% to 85% accurate."

The publication creates its forecasts "using a proprietary formula that adapts to the mysteries of nature and the ever-changing world in which we live," this edition notes. "The basis of our prediction method was developed by our founding editor according to correlations between celestial events and various meteorological conditions."

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: How bad will winter be in Missouri? Farmers' Almanac 2025 forecast