Farmers' Almanac Versus the Climate Prediction Center - KTIV News 4 Sioux City IA: News, Weather and Sports

Farmers' Almanac Versus the Climate Prediction Center

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SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KTIV) -- As the Fall season begins, you might be wondering what to expect this winter.  Do leaves falling this early mean more snow or less?

There are plenty of sources out there, but which ones can you trust? The Farmers' Almanac or the NOAA's Climate Prediction Center?

While the Climate Prediction Center was expecting a very warm 2009-2010 winter with equal chances for above, near, or below normal precipitation across Siouxland, the Farmers' Almanac predicted a "very cold and snowy winter." The results show snowfall was almost double normal, with close to 60" of snow accumulating at the Sioux Gateway Airport and temperatures averaging around 16.4 degrees, that's the 11th coldest in history.

So how about this winter? The Farmers' Almanac is suggesting a "cold and very snowy winter." And the Climate Prediction Center? 

Although an official winter forecast has not been released, a three month outlook from December through February indicates equal chances of having above, near, or below normal precipitation and temperatures. 

The Climate Prediction Center uses factors such as El Nino and La Nina to produce winter forecasts. In contrast, the Farmers' Almanac relies on a secret formula that considers moon phases, sunspots, and "other astronomical and atmospheric factors and conditions."

While the formula used by the Farmers' Almanac may be considered unorthodox by today's climatologists, the results last winter don't lie.

So maybe the Almanac's formula is guarded for good reason. But either way you slice it, we will inevitably be looking at some snow and cold in the upcoming winter.

Online Reporter: Ross Caniglia

 

 

 

 

 

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