Though summer is not yet over, the Farmer's Almanac has already published a winter outlook for the United States.
In publication since 1818, the Farmer's Almanac is described on its website as a "compendium of knowledge on weather, gardening, cooking, home remedies, managing your household, preserving the earth, and more."
The almanac predicts that winter 2026-2027 will be a "season of sharp contrasts, with an active southern storm track, quick bursts of snow and bitter cold across the North, and a tricky mix of rain, sleet, ice, and heavy wet snow in the Northeast." In the Southern U.S., including North Carolina, El Niño is expected to create wetter-than-normal conditions.
Here's what to know about the almanac's predictions for this winter.
Will it be a cold winter in North Carolina? Asheville?
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Farmer's Almanac calls for generally "cool" weather in North Carolina for the 2026-27winter, rather than the "cold" temperatures predicted in other regions.
Will it be a snowy winter in North Carolina? Asheville?
The Farmer's Almanac notes that El Niño is expected to remain an "important influence through the heart of the season," creating wetter-than-normal conditions across much of the southern U.S. In the Tar Heel State, predictions call for "wet and stormy" weather throughout the winter months.
When is the first day of fall 2026?
The fall equinox, which marks the first day of fall in the Northern Hemisphere, occurs Tuesday, Sept. 22, at 8:04 p.m.
When is the first day of winter 2026?
The winter solstice, which marks the first day of winter in the Northern Hemisphere, occurs Monday, Dec. 21, at 3:50 p.m.
How does the Farmers' Almanac make weather predictions?
The Farmers' Almanac describes its methods of forecasting as a "tried-and-true formula that adapts to the mysteries of nature and the ever-changing world in which we live." The formula uses rules set forth in 1818, but accounts for solar activity, the motion of the moon and "fluctuations in the environment on earth."
The Almanac reports 80-85% accuracy on regional outlooks, noting that independent reviews place actual accuracy "somewhat lower, but still meaningfully above chance."
Iris Seaton is the trending news reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at iseaton@citizentimes.com.
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Farmer's Almanac makes 2026-27 winter predictions. NC's outlook
