'Cold weather fans rejoice': Here's what Farmer's Almanac predicts for Kansas winter
Last winter was mild for Kansas but this coming winter won't be, say two competing Farmer's Almanacs.
The Sunflower State is in store for a frigid cold-weather season, say those long-lived publications, the Farmer's Almanac and the Old Farmer's Almanac.
"The 'brrr' is coming back!" Farmer's Almanac editor Pete Geiger said in a news release last month. "We expect more snow and low temperatures nationwide."
How do the almanacs formulate their forecasts?
The Old Farmer's Almanac has been published since 1792 and is based in Dublin, N.H. The Farmer's Almanac has been published since 1818 and is based in Lewiston, Maine.
Both say they use centuries-old secret formulas to make long-term weather predictions. Both also share other information about various topics.
The Old Farmer's Almanac says it creates its forecasts using the atmosphere, prevailing weather patterns and sunspots and other solar activity.
The Farmer's Almanac says it uses a "top-secret mathematical and astronomical formula," which takes into consideration factors that include sunspot activity, tidal action and the position of the planet.
Meteorologists question the predictions of both, saying their methodologies have no established scientific basis and that even the National Weather Service can't accurately predict weather more than a couple weeks in advance.
What was last winter like in the Topeka area?
Though Topekans experienced dangerously cold conditions last December, the winter of 2022-2023 overall brought the capital city less snow and warmer weather than average, the National Weather Service said.
Those included an average mercury reading of 34.3 degrees for January, compared to a normal for that month of 30.2, and an average temperature for February of 38.5 degrees, compared to a normal of 34.9.
What does the Farmer's Almanac predict for Kansas?
"After a weird and warm winter season last year, this winter should make cold weather fans rejoice — especially those in the Great Lakes, Midwest and northern New England areas," Farmer's Almanac editor Geiger said.
That almanac came out Aug. 2. It predicts Kansas will see chilly conditions and average snowfall.
"Winter in the Great Plains and Rockies will usher in plenty of cold temperatures and occasional bouts of storminess, bringing widespread rains and snows," it said.
What does the Old Farmer's Almanac predict for Kansas?
The Old Farmer's Almanac, which came out just before Labor Day, featured forecasts it makes annually about what people within 18 specific zones across the nation can expect.
Roughly the eastern two-thirds of Kansas is in the almanac's "Heartland" zone, where it predicted this winter will be colder than normal while snowfall will be slightly above average.
What does the National Weather Service predict for Kansas?
The National Weather Service predicted on its website that all but the far northeast corner of Kansas this coming winter will have a roughly equal chance of seeing above normal and below normal temperatures.
The far northeast corner will see a slightly higher chance of seeing warmer than normal weather, it said.
The weather service predicted that all of the state will have a roughly equal chance of seeing above normal and below normal snowfall.
Contact Tim Hrenchir at threnchri@gannett.com or 785-213-5934.
This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Will Kansas see a cold, snowy winter? What the Farmer's Almanac says
