The “Old Farmer’s Almanac” has revealed their outlook for winter 2016/17.

This is how they come up with their forecast:

“We derive our weather forecasts from a secret formula that was devised by the founder of this Almanac, Robert B. Thomas, in 1792. Thomas believed that weather on Earth was influenced by sunspots, which are magnetic storms on the surface of the Sun. Over the years, we have refined and enhanced this formula with state-of-the-art technology and modern scientific calculations. We employ three scientific disciplines to make our long-range predictions: solar science, the study of sunspots and other solar activity; climatology, the study of prevailing weather patterns; and meteorology, the study of the atmosphere.”

The Old Farmers Almanac 2017 Winter Weather Outlook:

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The PNW

“Winter will be rainier than normal. Temperatures will be below normal in the north and above normal in the south, with the coldest periods in early and mid- to late December and mid- to late January. Snowfall will be above normal in the north and below normal in the south, with the snowiest periods in early December and mid-January.”

California

“Winter temperatures and rainfall will be below normal, with below-normal mountain snows. The stormiest periods will be in late November, mid-December, and mid-January. The coldest temperatures will be in early and late December and mid- to late January.”

The Rocky Mountains

“Winter temperatures will be above normal, with precipitation a bit below normal. The coldest periods will be in early and mid- to late December and mid- to late January. Snowfall will be above normal in the north and below normal elsewhere, with the snowiest periods in late November, early and mid-December, and mid-January.”

The Northeast

“Winter will be colder than normal, on average, with slightly above-normal precipitation and near-normal snowfall. The coldest periods will be in mid- and late December, mid- and late January, mid-February, and early March. The snowiest periods will be in mid-November, late January, mid- and late February, and early to mid-March.”

Midwest

“Winter temperatures and rainfall will be below normal, with below-normal mountain snows. The stormiest periods will be in late November, mid-December, and mid-January. The coldest temperatures will be in early and late December and mid- to late January.”