Farmers' Almanac forecasts heavy snow and El Niño storms for winter 2026-27
The Farmers' Almanac predicts a volatile, storm-heavy 2026-2027 winter driven by a strengthening El Niño, with regional outlooks from Maine to Alabama.
The Farmers' Almanac winter forecast for 2026-2027 predicts a volatile, storm-heavy season driven by a strengthening El Niño. It anticipates heavy snow, frequent storms in the South, cold snaps in the North, sudden thaws, and colder-than-average temperatures across the southern United States.
The Farmers' Almanac has released its winter weather forecast for the 2026-2027 season, calling for heavy snow and unpredictable conditions across the United States. According to the publication, a strengthening El Niño could produce a volatile, storm-heavy winter, with southern storms, northern cold snaps, and sudden thaws. The outlook is broken down by region and state, with individual forecasts published for Mississippi, Ohio, and Alabama, among others. The Farmers' Almanac, published by Geiger of Lewiston, Maine, has appeared continuously since 1818 and issues long-range weather predictions for the United States and Canada. It says its forecasts rest on a formula dating back roughly 208 years. Its older rival, the Old Farmer's Almanac, in print since 1792, has also published a winter forecast for 2026 with its own regional breakdowns. The forecast matters because the almanac anticipates more frequent storms in some parts of the country and colder-than-average temperatures in the South — conditions that would shape travel, agriculture, and energy demand through the winter of 2026-27.
Farmers' Almanac calls for a stormy, El Niño-driven winter in 2026-27
The Farmers' Almanac, published by Geiger of Lewiston, Maine, has released its winter weather forecast for the 2026-2027 season, covering the United States and Canada with predictions broken down by region and state.
According to the publication, the coming winter will bring heavy snow and unpredictable conditions across much of the country. The forecast anticipates a strong El Niño influence, with more frequent storms expected in some parts of the United States. Reports on the outlook warn that a strengthening El Niño could produce a volatile, storm-heavy season, featuring southern storms, northern cold snaps, and sudden thaws.
The almanac says its long-range predictions rest on a formula dating back roughly 208 years, to around the time the periodical began publication in 1818. The outlook also anticipates snow, sleet, and unusual conditions linked to El Niño, though the forecast's state-by-state details vary considerably by region.
What the forecast says for the South, the North, and individual states
According to the Farmers' Almanac, the 2026-27 winter will bring southern storms, northern cold snaps, and sudden thaws, alongside snow, sleet, and unusual conditions linked to El Niño. The outlook suggests the southern United States could see colder-than-average temperatures.
State-level outlooks have been published for Mississippi, Ohio, and Alabama. Mississippi's forecast covers expected temperatures, storms, and precipitation, while Ohio receives its own specific predictions. Alabama's winter is described as potentially active, with rain, storms, and possible chances of snow.
Any snow in the Deep South would matter beyond the novelty. According to Powder, ski resorts in the southern United States are limited to a small number in Tennessee, North Carolina, and Alabama, so even modest winter weather carries outsized significance for the region's slopes.
Two centuries-old almanacs and a 208-year-old formula
Behind the predictions stand two of America's oldest publications. The Farmers' Almanac, an annual periodical published by Geiger of Lewiston, Maine, has appeared continuously since 1818 and offers long-range weather predictions for the United States and Canada. Its rival, the Old Farmer's Almanac, has been published even longer, since 1792, and bundles weather forecasts with planting charts, astronomical data, recipes, and articles. It too issued a winter forecast for 2026, with regional breakdowns of expected conditions.
The Farmers' Almanac says its predictions rest on a formula dating back roughly 208 years, to around the time of its founding. What that formula contains, or how it translates into regional forecasts, is not explained in the sources consulted. The method remains, as it has for two centuries, a closely held secret.
The Old Farmer's Almanac begins continuous publication, offering weather forecasts, planting charts, astronomical data, recipes, and articles.
The Farmers' Almanac begins continuous publication as an annual American periodical.
The Farmers' Almanac says its weather predictions rely on a formula dating back roughly 208 years.
The Old Farmer's Almanac publishes its winter forecast for 2026 with regional breakdowns of expected conditions.
The Farmers' Almanac releases its winter weather forecast for the 2026-2027 season, with predictions broken down by U.S. region and state.
The Farmers' Almanac forecast calls for heavy snow and unpredictable weather conditions in winter 2026-2027.
The forecast anticipates a strong El Niño influence, with more frequent storms expected in some parts of the United States.
The forecast warns that a strengthening El Niño could produce a volatile, storm-heavy winter across the United States in 2026-2027.
The Farmers' Almanac predicts a winter featuring southern storms, northern cold snaps, and sudden thaws.
State-level outlooks are published for Mississippi, Ohio, and Alabama, with Alabama's winter described as potentially active with rain, storms, and possible snow.
The winter 2026-27 outlook anticipates snow, sleet, and unusual conditions linked to El Niño, with colder-than-average temperatures possible in the southern United States.
What the forecasts do not tell us yet
Several gaps remain in what these forecasts can tell readers. Neither almanac's exact release date for the 2026-27 outlook has been confirmed. The Farmers' Almanac points to a strengthening El Niño, but no source states how strong the event is expected to be or how long it will last. State-level outlooks for places such as Mississippi, Ohio, and Alabama describe conditions in general terms; specific temperature or snowfall figures are not provided. Nor is there any published comparison of how the two almanacs' predictions for the same season stack up against each other. Perhaps most important for readers weighing these outlooks: no data is available on the historical accuracy of either publication's long-range winter predictions. That context is worth keeping in mind as winter approaches.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Farmers' Almanac winter forecast for 2026-2027?
The Farmers' Almanac has released its winter forecast for the 2026-2027 season, broken down by U.S. region and state. According to the publication, the forecast anticipates a strong El Niño influence and calls for heavy snow and unpredictable conditions, with more frequent storms expected in some parts of the country.
How will El Niño affect winter weather in the United States?
According to the Farmers' Almanac, a strengthening El Niño could produce a volatile, storm-heavy winter across the United States in 2026-2027. The publication predicts southern storms, northern cold snaps, and sudden thaws, with snow, sleet, and unusual conditions linked to El Niño. The sources do not state how strong or long the El Niño event is expected to be.
What does the Farmers' Almanac predict for southern states like Alabama and Mississippi?
According to the Farmers' Almanac, the southern United States could see colder-than-average temperatures in winter 2026-27. State-level outlooks published for Mississippi, Ohio, and Alabama describe Alabama's winter as potentially active, with rain, storms, and possible chances of snow. Specific temperature or snowfall figures for individual states were not provided.
What is the difference between the Farmers' Almanac and the Old Farmer's Almanac?
The Farmers' Almanac is an annual American periodical published continuously since 1818 by Geiger of Lewiston, Maine, offering long-range weather predictions for the United States and Canada. The Old Farmer's Almanac has been published continuously since 1792 and offers weather forecasts, planting charts, astronomical data, recipes, and articles. Both have published winter forecasts with regional breakdowns.
How does the Farmers' Almanac make its weather predictions?
According to the publication, it relies on a formula dating back roughly 208 years to make its long-range weather predictions for the United States and Canada. The sources consulted do not explain how the formula actually works, and no information is given on the historical accuracy of the almanac's winter forecasts.
Compiled from reporting by 9 independent outlets. How we source our reporting.
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