Posted on 08/20/2008 9:49:08 PM PDT by lainie
Households worried about the high cost of keeping warm this winter will draw little comfort from the Farmers' Almanac, which predicts below-average temperatures for most of the U.S.
"Numb's the word," says the 192-year-old publication, which claims an accuracy rate of 80 to 85 percent for its forecasts that are prepared two years in advance.
The almanac's 2009 edition, which goes on sale Tuesday, says at least two-thirds of the country can expect colder than average temperatures, with only the Far West and Southeast in line for near-normal readings.
"This is going to be catastrophic for millions of people," said almanac editor Peter Geiger, noting that the frigid forecast combined with high prices for heating fuel is sure to compound problems households will face in keeping warm.
The almanac predicts above-normal snowfall for the Great Lakes and Midwest, especially during January and February, and above-normal precipitation for the Southwest in December and for the Southeast in January and February. The Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions should be getting an unusually wet or snowy February, the almanac said.
The forecasts, which are spelled out in three- and four-day periods for each region, are prepared by the almanac's reclusive prognosticator Caleb Weatherbee, who uses a secret formula based on sunspots, the position of the planets and the tidal action of the moon.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.mainetoday.com ...
Global warming! Global warming! No, wait. . . climate change! Climate change!
The Farmer’s Almanac is usually closer on predicting the winter than are the weather people.
“Of course it’s possible to prepare a forecast with any lead time you like. Whether or nor that forecast has any accuracy or usable skill is another question,” he said.”
80-85% accuracy is better than the forecasts we get around here.
Global cooling ping.
We haven’t had a good snow in Birmingham for years. Central Alabama just can’t handle snow, but every once in a while it can be fun.
I love it, too. Buy it yearly. Seldom take it all that seriously!
Hello, Hostess!
What is the deal on the catapillars.
Big Orange middle cold? or Warm?
What does the Almanac say about the PNW?
It has been too dang cold the last two years...Snow at the Beach the last month of May even.
I wish El Nino would come back.
We had warm short wearing dry weather that Christmas year.
I bet there’s a scientific study somewhere, comparing the two.
Yah I think 80% is good odds, personally.
above-normal precipitation for the Southwest in December
Well, I certainly hope so. We're gettin' thirsty over here.
“Of course it’s possible to prepare a forecast with any lead time you like. Whether or nor that forecast has any accuracy or usable skill is another question,”
But we can tell you it is going to be 1 degree warmer 89 years from now if we don’t stop using oil and coal.
What Sunspots? What? Huh? Damn its cold.
Mine too. He used to plant his corn crop by it.
The drought is over!
From what I’ve seen so far, I believe it. I’m also a big believer in that Murphy guy. When you wash your car, it rains. With the price of heating fuel being what it is, you can bet your sweet -— that this is going to be a cold winter.
Thank God for global warming!
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