Dreaming of cooler temps? After winter 2024-25 brought major snowfall and dangerously cold temperatures to parts of the U.S (including Cincinnati), an "old-fashioned winter," as forecast by the Farmers' Almanac, may be welcome news for farmers – and the rest of us, too.
The 209th edition of the Farmers' Almanac, out now, forecasts "chill, snow, repeat" weather patterns for the upcoming 2025-26 winter season.
Here's what winter in Ohio is predicted to look like this year.
What is the fall forecast for the Ohio Valley?
The arrival of the autumnal equinox Sept. 22 officially starts the fall season, and the Farmers' Almanac fall forecast predicts cooler-than-average temperatures for the Ohio Valley region.
September and October will be cooler and drier than normal across the Midwest, including Ohio, according to The Old Farmer’s Almanac. Warm periods with scattered showers early and mid-month are expected before turning cooler. A mix of showers and sunshine with shifting temperatures (warm early, cooling mid-month, then warmer at the end) is expected in October.
What is Ohio's winter going to be like this year?
The Ohio Valley, which includes Greater Cincinnati, is "set for a classic winter wonderland" this year, according to the Farmers' Almanac. The Great Lakes, Ohio Valley and Midwest regions (Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin) are forecast to be very cold and snowy this winter.
As the snow gives way to very cold temperatures, snow moves into Kentucky and Ohio. The beginning of March brings snow to most of the region. The month ends with brisk, windy conditions, plus snow in the north.
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. 12-16: Showers east, sunny west; warm.
Aug 17-28: Sunny, then showery; warm.
Aug 29-31: Sunny, warm.
September
Sep 1-6: Showers, then sunny; warm.
Sep 7-13: Showers, then sunny; warm east, cool west.
Sep 14-18: Showers, warm.
Sep 19-24: Sunny, cool.
Sep 25-30: Showers, then sunny; cool.
When does winter start?
Meteorological winter starts Dec. 1, and astronomical winter begins Dec. 21.
When will winter end?
The 2026 spring equinox falls on March 20, per the Farmers' Almanac. This signals 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% to 85% accuracy rate for its forecasts, although some experts have disputed those claims.
Did the Farmers' Almanac get its winter weather prediction right last year?
The Farmers' Almanac mentions in the new edition how its winter 2024-2025 forecast "for a mild winter in Texas and the Southern Plains hit the mark, and we correctly called the cold weather over the Northern Plains and Great Lakes."
The almanac also notes, "We also accurately forewarned of a very cold spell at the end of January," perhaps referencing some of winter 2024-2025's milestones, including the arctic air mass that contributed to cold weather advisories that month. "But La Niña threw a curveball, leaving us with fewer wet weather events than expected," the Farmers' Almanac said.
February also brought dangerously cold temperatures, but overall, the contiguous U.S. had the third-warmest winter on record, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, with an average temperature of 34.1 degrees Fahrenheit, 1.9 degrees above average.
There's a chance a La Niña winter could be in store, according to the Climate Prediction Center. That could mean cold and snow for the Northwest, dry conditions in the South and higher-than-average temperatures in the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic.
The Farmers' Almanac 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."
While scientists may question the accuracy of The Farmers' Almanac – and the competing The Old Farmer's Almanac – the guide, which includes planting tips and an astronomical calendar, remains an interesting read.
Ohio Connect Team reporters Mike Snider and Chad Murphy contributed to this report.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Farmers' Almanac predicts 'winter wonderland' for Ohio. See forecast
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