Heat and a stormy summer solstice: Farmers' Almanac predictions for summer weather in CT

Blaine Callahan, The Bulletin
·2 min read

For long-range weather predictions, no source has done it longer than the Farmers' Almanac.

Their "secret formula" involves taking into consideration sunspot activity, tidal action of the moon, the position of planets, and several other factors. There's apparently one person who knows the exact formula, who goes under the pseudonym of Caleb Weatherbee.

While the science behind the predictions is often more pseudo than actual, it's shown success in the past. The long-running Almanac more or less accurately predicted the 2021-22 winter season in Connecticut and the Northeast.

How spot on were the spring predictions? And what's it expecting for summer in New England and Connecticut?

The Old Farmer's Almanac 2022
The Old Farmer's Almanac 2022

Spring predictions were off the mark

The first big prediction of spring according to the Farmers' Almanac was "slow to warm" temperatures marked by an unseasonably cold vernal equinox on March 20. For Connecticut, that wasn't exactly the case.

Temperatures from March 13 through 31 we're higher than average, with peaks of 66, 67, and a balmy 76 degrees on March 26.

The Almanac got one thing exactly right - the sole day of the vernal equinox was a cold 37 degrees.

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The Norwich Heritage Trail leads to Yantic Falls in Norwich.
The Norwich Heritage Trail leads to Yantic Falls in Norwich.

When it came to precipitation totals, the Almanac was close, but not quite right.

Connecticut and the Northeast region was expected to receive lower than usual rainfall, with a regional outlook far drier than the rest of the United States. In actuality, this spring has been pretty average. Rainfall totals from March and April were off by less than an inch for most regions but, to the Almanac's credit, did trend just a bit drier.

What does the Farmers' Almanac expect for summer?

"Hot, Hot, Hot," is the biggest prediction nationwide.

Loren Waggoner, of the Norwich Recreation Department, grooms a softball field at Luis DePina Recreation Fields last year in 90 degree weather.
Loren Waggoner, of the Norwich Recreation Department, grooms a softball field at Luis DePina Recreation Fields last year in 90 degree weather.

Predictions for Connecticut and New England are for more "seasonably warm" temperatures, while the rest of the United States should be seeing temps far higher than normal.

Expect a host of storms to hit the east around the summer solstice, or June 21.

"The transition from spring to summer will be stormy," says the Almanac.

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That aforementioned heat will hit in full come July, with many areas fielding temperatures in the 90s and triple digits. The front half of August should be just as brutal, but mostly for central and western states. By mid month, "the worst should be behind us." Cooler weather will come by September.

Finally, despite heavy storms in June, the Farmers' Almanac predicts a below average precipitation over the Northeast and Connecticut. There won't be much drought relief for areas in need, such as the Pacific States.

This article originally appeared on The Bulletin: Farmers' Almanac: Summer weather forecasts for CT, New England