While Ohioans exhausted by the summer heat may be looking forward to fall, with its cooler temperatures and vibrant colors, winter is looming.
According to the Farmers' Almanac 2026/2027 winter weather forecast
, published Aug. 6, the season is will bring active storms to the South with bursts of snow and bitter cold in the North as well as a mix of rain, sleet, ice and heavy wet snow in the Northeast."Keep the shovel, rain boots, and ice scraper close—this winter may bring plenty of surprises," author Caleb Weatherbee writes.
What does the forecast call for in Ohio? Here's a look.
Farmers' Almanac 2026-27 winter weather forecast for Ohio
While the forecast calls for average, near normal temperatures across the Great Lakes region, which
includes Ohio, Weatherbee says that doesn't mean the coming winter will be mild.
"Fast-moving clippers, sudden cold snaps, and brief snowy periods are likely, although milder breaks may frequently interrupt the wintry weather," he write. "Farther north, the Plains, Midwest, and Great Lakes could experience sudden snow squalls, blustery winds, and bursts of bitter cold."
What will winter be like outside of Ohio? Forecast for the rest of the United States
Across the country, the Farmers' Almanac is calling for:
- Wetter than normal conditions across the southern United States, influenced by El Niño.
- Rain, sleet and several rounds of heavy, wet snow in the Northeast.
- Less dependable snow in the Pacific Northwest.
- Drier with periods of intense cold, wind and now in the northern Plains and upper Midwest.
- Heavier than normal precipitation from California through the Southwest and Texas, the Gulf Coast and Southeast.
How does the Farmers' Almanac create its winter weather forecast?
The Farmers' Almanac has been making weather predictions since 1818, the year of its founding, using a "combination of sunspot cycles, lunar position, tidal pull, and historical pattern weighting." It does not publicize the exact details.
How accurate is the Farmers' Almanac winter weather forecast?
While scientists may question the accuracy of The Farmers' Almanac – and the competing The Old Farmer's Almanac -- the publication reports 80% to 85% accuracy on its regional outlooks. "Independent reviews put actual accuracy somewhat lower, but still meaningfully above chance."
When does winter begin?
This year, winter will start at 10:50 a.m. ET on Monday, Dec. 21, 2026.
That's the date and time of the winter solstice, the shortest day and longest night of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What does winter have in store for Ohio? Farmers' Almanac forecast
