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Farmers' Almanac Releases 2023/2024 Winter Outlook

The Farmers' Almanac has been predicting for 114 years, but will Alabama need flip-flops or snow boots this winter?

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — The Farmers' Almanac is predicting much of the country will be shoveling and shivering this winter.

Farmers' Almanac has released its extended weather forecast, a tradition that dates back to 1918.

The Almanac suggests that areas of the United States east of the Continental Divide will see cold or snow this winter, or potentially both.

Alabama could be in for a pesky, chilling winter adventure. The Almanac puts the state of Alabama in its "shivery" zone that'll be both "wet & slushy".

The North Central States are forecast to experience extremely cold temperatures, especially during mid-January, per the Almanac. The Great Lakes areas, Northeast and North Central regions will also have a frigid winter ahead. 

The Southeast will have a chilly, with a snowy slush mix winter and the Southwestern portion of the U.S. will see a mild winter (above average temperatures) and below average precipitation totals. 

As usual, the Northwestern side of the states will see significant bouts of snow and potentially a snow storm or two, according to the Farmers' Almanac.

Credit: Farmers Almanac

January could be the stormiest for many, including Texas and Oklahoma, where heavy snow is predicted throughout the first week of Winter. 

"Areas in the western half of the country should escape major shivers, with an overall forecast of brisk temperatures predicted in the Northwest and mild temperatures in the Southwest," the Almanac states.

"Unfortunately,  dry winter is predicted for the Southwest states, which won't help the drought situation."

Just how does the Almanac get their forecast this early? The service uses top-secret mathematical and astronomical formulas, taking sunspot activity, tidal action, the position of the planet, and many other factors into consideration.

In other words, don't take this forecast seriously --- pay attention to FOX54's Certified Most Accurate weather team in the Tennessee Valley.

"The Farmers' Almanac is essentially created for click bate," FOX54's Chief Meteorologist Jordan Dressman says. "They might as well ask a preschooler if it's going to snow this year."

The Farmers' Almanac's Alabama's forecast doesn't line up with the Climate Prediction Center's Winter Outlook for this upcoming winter, which calls for Alabama having a normal winter in the temperature department and a wetter than usual winter, precipitation wise.

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