2018 Weather – Did we get it right?

The Old Farmer’s Almanac predicts the weather for the next four seasons, and we didn’t count a single acorn to do it. Having trouble viewing this email? [View this email on the web.]( [We’ve Predicted the Weather Ever Since George Washington Was President]( According to weather folklore, you can predict winter weather with a persimmon seed—the whole winter at a glance. But if you want daily winter weather predictions—temperature, rain, and snow forecasts pertinent to your area—you probably still need The Old Farmer’s Almanac. Dear Weather Watcher, Every year, folks ask us . . . what’s our secret to predicting the long-range weather? The Old Farmer’s Almanac—America’s oldest and most popular almanac—uses a unique, age-old formula that’s traditionally 80% accurate. Some think it’s derived from folklore. Perhaps a long, hard winter can be predicted by lots of acorns, tough apple skins, and thick corn husks, while a mild one can be predicted by lower bees nests and thin onion skins. Have you ever looked inside a persimmon seed? It may give you clues, too! We can neither confirm nor deny the reliability of this folklore but we know that, centuries ago, folks observed such phenomena and noticed corresponding, repeating weather patterns . . . so at The Old Farmer’s Almanac we allow that there just might be some truth to it! However, folklore does not figure in the creation of weather forecasts in The Old Farmer’s Almanac. Indeed, our weather forecast methodology stems from a secret formula that was devised by our founder, Robert B. Thomas, in 1792, when George Washington was president. And it has nothing to do acorns, apples, or persimmons. Thomas believed that weather on Earth was influenced by sunspots, which are magnetic storms on the surface of the Sun. Notes about his formula are locked in a black box in our offices in Dublin, New Hampshire. 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, as well as ocean temperatures, land temperatures, jetstreams, and more. We predict weather trends and events by comparing solar patterns and historical weather conditions with current solar activity. Although neither we nor any other forecasters have as yet gained sufficient insight into the mysteries of the universe to predict the weather with total accuracy, our results are almost always very close to our traditional claim of 80 percent. HALF-PRICE Offer Now in Effect! Special Charter Membership Invitation for You: Introducing The Old Farmer's Almanac Best Value Club! Get Your Special Pass— Access to the World's Most Beloved Almanac Be among the first to claim your Old Farmer's Almanac Best Value Club Charter Membership—become a Charter Member today! [Yes! sign me up now!]( The "Best Value Club" is really an incredible value! [How Accurate Was our Weather Forecast Last Year?]( Our overall accuracy rate in forecasting the direction of temperature change from normal for 2017–2018 winter was 83%. Temperatures in the Deep South, Desert Southwest, and Pacific Southwest were warmer than we forecast. Most other regions had a February warm enough to offset cold temperatures in other winter months, making our overall forecast of above-normal temperatures correct. Our forecast for the change in precipitation from last winter was correct in 72% of the regions, giving us an overall accuracy rate of 77%—very close to our traditional 80% rate. [Get Weather Predictions for 2019]( What’s shaping the weather in 2019? Solar Cycle 24, the smallest in more than 100 years, is well into its declining phase after reaching double peaks in late 2011 and early 2014. As solar activity continues to decline from these low peaks toward the minima in 2019, we expect temperatures during the winter of 2018–2019 to be milder than normal in most of the nation, with only the Southwest being colder than normal. How mild? How cold? We’d love to tell you more, but if you want more specifics on snowfall, spring and summer temperatures, and where hurricanes are most likely to strike, you’ll need to join [The Old Farmer’s Almanac Best Value Club Charter Membership](! [Now, Back to Those Persimmon Seeds…]( If you’re still itching to predict the weather with persimmon-seed science, here’s what to look for after cutting a seed open: - If the kernel is spoon-shaped, expect plenty of heavy, wet snow to shovel. - If it is fork-shaped, plan on a mild winter with powdery, light snow. - If the kernel is knife-shaped, expect icy, frigid winds that will “cut” like a blade. When you’re done, turn that persimmon’s sweet flesh into Persimmon Bread! It’s one of hundreds of the tasty and easy-to-make recipes on Almanac.com! Winter will soon be upon us! If you want a full year of weather predictions and lots more useful information, wit, and wisdom, you can get it and a bundle of FREE GIFTS, with an [Old Farmer’s Almanac Best Value Club Charter Membership](! HALF-PRICE Offer Now in Effect! Special Charter Membership Invitation for You: Introducing The Old Farmer's Almanac Best Value Club! Get Your Special Pass— Access to the World's Most Beloved Almanac Be among the first to claim your Old Farmer's Almanac Best Value Club Charter Membership—become a Charter Member today! [Yes! sign me up now!]( The "Best Value Club" is really an incredible value! With an [Old Farmer’s Almanac Best Value Club Charter Membership](, you’ll get the collectible hardcover 2019 edition of the Almanac, monthly updates , and a bundle of FREE extras! Plus, you’ll learn more about how we predict the weather and how accurate these predictions have been historically. With an [Old Farmer’s Almanac Best Value Club Charter Membership](, you’ll also be on top of . . . - Frost dates, including the average date of the first or last freeze that occurs in spring and fall. - How to rotate crops, to avoid pests and soil-borne diseases. - The best fishing days and times, as well as when fish will be most active. - The best days of each month for certain activities, according to the Moon’s sign, such as cutting hair, pickling or making sauerkraut, mowing, pruning, and even breeding animals. You’ll also get updated outlooks on our weather predictions in our monthly Almanac Extra! An email will be sent to you each month letting you know when the latest issue is ready to view. It’s just another way to keep you current on changing weather and conditions. (Persimmons don’t do that!) [Get full access to everything under the Sun, including the Moon, weather, vegetable and flower gardening, folklore, nature, home remedies, and more]( —with your Old Farmer’s Almanac Best Value Club Charter Membership! Introducing [The Old Farmer’s Almanac Best Value Club Charter Membership](! This new and exciting club is designed especially for you—and it’s packed with articles, advice, best days, facts, and fun that you cannot get anywhere else! Your [Charter Membership]( gives you all the elements of a true almanac—a “calendar of the heavens” and a “time capsule of the year” for 2019, plus some FREE gifts when you join today. More about those FREE gifts in a minute. Since 1792—in fact, every day since!—The Old Farmer’s Almanac has been trusted and enjoyed by folks from all walks of life: people who grow their own food depend on the planting dates; home cooks, gardeners, and folks hungry for something quick and delicious love the recipes; just about everybody checks on the Moon phases and sunrise and set times … as well as the weather forecasts … to know what to expect on any given day, week, month, or season. With [The Old Farmer’s Almanac Best Value Club Charter Membership](, you’ll have content that is both useful and humorous. You’ll discover quirky facts, timeless adages and advice, amusing quotes and profound proverbs, contests, Anecdotes and Pleasantries, Best Days to do things (from fishing to weaning from planting to setting eggs, for example), and so much more! Your [Charter Membership]( gives you everything that you’ve come to expect and depend on in an Almanac—valuable and accurate content and advice. In fact, fulfillment of readers’ expectations has made our Almanac the best-known and most sought-after Almanac for generations. Did you know? The Old Farmer’s Almanac is the oldest continuously published periodical in North America! We got started with this valuable content in 1792—when George Washington was president and the U.S. Post Office Department was first established . . . and we’ve been at it ever since then, for 227 years! HALF-PRICE Offer Now in Effect! Special Charter Membership Invitation for You: Introducing The Old Farmer's Almanac Best Value Club! Get Your Special Pass— Access to the World's Most Beloved Almanac Be among the first to claim your Old Farmer's Almanac Best Value Club Charter Membership—become a Charter Member today! [Yes! sign me up now!]( The "Best Value Club" is really an incredible value! People always ask how and why our Almanac has lasted—and continues to be a best seller. The answer is simple: We stay true to the original mission of founder Robert B. Thomas, who declared in an early edition, “Our main endeavor is to be useful, with a pleasant degree of humor.” We believe that, especially in today’s trying times, finding humor and enjoyment in daily life is important and can be uplifting, and we hope you like our light-hearted fun and find the joy in chuckling at our witty and inspiring words. This will make you smile, too: Every edition of The Old Farmer’s Almanac is fresh, new, and designed to make the year one of the best ever. How do we do that? With entertaining and informative articles. For example: Want to know about the most fun and fascinating trends for 2019? Here’s a hint: We’ll be exercising in the grocery stores, we’ll be drinking banana milk, shopping in stores with “quiet hours,” and decorating with “scratch-and-sniff” wallpaper. Are you a vegetable gardener or want to be one? Many gardeners consider the Almanac their most valuable tool, so this year, for all of you trying to grow food we’ve got foolproof advice that promises a harvest the first year and every one thereafter. Perhaps you grow flowers—or want to: In the 2019 Almanac, you’ll learn which flowers are edible, when to pick them, and how to use them (e.g., pick apple blossoms in late spring and sprinkle them onto a Waldorf salad, all summer use impatiens as a garnish). But that’s just the beginning! Here’s just some of what else you’ll discover in the 2019 Almanac: - The Faces of Farming: ambitious folks from across the country tell about how they got started, the hurdles they faced, and the rewards of working the land - Timetables and advice for spotting meteor showers, bright stars, conjunctions, and other fascinating astronomical events - Best days for planting, pruning, weeding, grafting, and controlling pests, plus the easiest-ever soil test (all you need is a pair of men’s clean, white, 100% cotton underwear and a small shovel) - Daily weather forecasts for all regions of the United States, including Alaska and Hawaii - Fresh new ways to savor the asparagus, beet, corn, and cucumber harvests, with “The ABCs of Pickling” - Easy, delicious, and Almanac prize-winning recipes using oranges - "Adventures in the Zodiac Zone"—what’s behind the Sun and Moon? - A look back at "The Day the Sun Exploded"—and a look forward to how it could happen again - The “full” explanation of if and why more strange things happen during a full Moon than at other times. - Facts, folklore, and traditions in “Telling the Bees”—Did you know that beekeepers often invite their bees to weddings? - Thinking of getting a pig, a cow, a goat, or maybe chickens? Or know someone who is? You do not want to miss “The Pros and Cons of Backyard Livestock.” - Why a Dog May be Your Best Medicine—and your child’s, too! - The Story of Baseball’s Most Amazin' Season, with the “Miracle Mets” - "How to Make Sausage at Home"- It’s easier than you think, especially if you make patties instead of links - All this and too much more to mention for 288 pages of riveting content! Plus, the Almanac’s easy-to-follow charts, maps, and photos bring it all to life for you—making it all easy to understand and use. HALF-PRICE Offer Now in Effect! Special Charter Membership Invitation for You: Introducing The Old Farmer's Almanac Best Value Club! Get Your Special Pass— Access to the World's Most Beloved Almanac Be among the first to claim your Old Farmer's Almanac Best Value Club Charter Membership—become a Charter Member today! [Yes! sign me up now!]( The "Best Value Club" is really an incredible value! [An Old Farmer’s Almanac Best Value Club Charter Membership will deliver exciting rewards for you—and for a special introductory rate, HALF-OFF right now, to all new Charter Members.]( When you join today, you’ll ensure that you get the latest details about Almanac events and forecasts—and you’ll enjoy all these benefits: - Your best garden ever—Almanac gardening advice, planting dates, time-saving tips, and detailed guidance from experts will get you growing like never before. - You’ll know in advance about every important astronomical event in 2019—when they’re happening, where in the sky, and the details and delights of each one. - You’ll have access to the world’s best source of Almanac content—from astronomy and weather to anniversaries and milestone dates; from important (and little known) holidays and religious events to traditional days in calendar folklore. - You’ll save time and money when you follow all the practical advice and tips that we deliver to you about everything from gardening to food preparation and cooking. - You’ll be a weather expert in your family and circle of friends—no one else you know will have the detailed knowledge about forecasting and weather that you’ll have . . . and for every region of the country! How can you not consider becoming an [Old Farmer’s Almanac Best Value Club Charter Member](? [What you’ll get with an Old Farmer’s Almanac Best Value Club Charter Membership.]( When you claim your Old Farmer’s Almanac Best Value Club Charter Membership today, your Charter membership will include: - The Old Farmer’s 2019 Almanac—Hot off the press, the hard-copy version will be shipped to you right away with everything you’ve come to expect from the world’s premier almanac. - You’ll also receive The Old Farmer’s Almanac EXTRA!—a monthly treasure trove of updates and Almanac content not found in the printed edition! - FREE Gift #1: The Old Farmer’s Almanac 1819 edition— A printed version will be shipped to you with your order. Take a trip down memory lane and see what one of our early Almanacs looked like! It’s a time capsule of life 200 years ago! - FREE Gift #2: The Old Farmer’s Almanac 1919 edition—A printed version will be shipped to you with your order. Another classic Almanac, this takes you back a century: Compare the content then and now! - FREE Gift #3: The Old Farmer’s Almanac 2019 Gardening Wall Calendar. Lovely to look at, fun to use! Each month features a beautiful full-color original illustration of seasonal plant or animal life, as well as timeless gardening secrets and advice, folklore, fun facts, and holidays—plus Moon phases to help you use the “Planting by the Moon” chart and have your best garden ever! And all of this is available to you—right now—when you claim your [Old Farmer’s Almanac Best Value Club Charter Membership](. What are you waiting for? Half-off this Charter Membership offer is in effect for you right now! No other Almanac has so many fun and fascinating facts, timely and accurate events and predictions, and topical and useful articles all in one place for your easy access and use—and covering more regions of North America than any other almanac or resource! HALF-PRICE Offer Now in Effect! Special Charter Membership Invitation for You: Introducing The Old Farmer's Almanac Best Value Club! Get Your Special Pass— Access to the World's Most Beloved Almanac Be among the first to claim your Old Farmer's Almanac Best Value Club Charter Membership—become a Charter Member today! [Yes! sign me up now!]( The "Best Value Club" is really an incredible value! [Why not join right now?]( Gardeners, weather and sky watchers, and nature lovers everywhere have been enjoying The Old Farmer’s Almanac for generations, and now it’s easier than ever for YOU to experience it all with an [Old Farmer’s Almanac Best Value Club Charter Membership](. When we created this new club for folks like you, we wanted to make it easy to use, easy to order, and packed with content and value—that’s why we named it the “Best Value Club”! The Almanac is the ultimate resource for gardening, astronomy, folklore, nature, and more, and now it can be all yours with your [Old Farmer’s Almanac Best Value Club Charter Membership](. HALF-PRICE Introductory Offer is Now in Effect! Special limited-time Charter Membership offer for you right now! When you respond today, you’ll be among a select group of Almanac friends to take advantage of this special Charter Membership offer. Activate your Charter Membership in The Old Farmer’s Almanac Best Value Club today, and you’ll get access to unique almanac content that you can’t find anywhere else—plus three FREE gifts! Join other weather and astronomy watchers, gardeners, nature and food lovers, and trivia fans—for half-off when you respond today! This is a [limited-time offer that you should take advantage of right now](. Why not be among the first—gardeners in your neighborhood; weather and astronomy watchers under the Sun; cooks in your community; trivia fans in your circle; nature-lovers in your area—to join us today and benefit from all the valuable Almanac information that you simply cannot get anywhere else? Become an [Old Farmer’s Almanac Best Value Club Charter Member]( today—while this special HALF-PRICE offer lasts! Sincerely, Janice Stillman Editor, The Old Farmer’s Almanac P.S. You should act today to claim your Charter Membership in [The Old Farmer’s Almanac Best Value Club](—while 2019 copies of the Almanac are still fresh . . . and to get your FREE gifts, too! HALF-PRICE Offer Now in Effect! Special Charter Membership Invitation for You: Introducing The Old Farmer's Almanac Best Value Club! Get Your Special Pass— Access to the World's Most Beloved Almanac Be among the first to claim your Old Farmer's Almanac Best Value Club Charter Membership—become a Charter Member today! [Yes! sign me up now!]( The "Best Value Club" is really an incredible value! [facebook]( [twitter]( [pinterest]( [Instagram]( [Google Plus]( You are receiving this e-mail message because you subscribed at our Web site: [Almanac.com]( If you do not wish to receive our regular e-mail newsletter in the future, please [click here to m]([anage preferences](. *Please do not reply to this e-mail* [Update your email address here]( To report corrections or inquire about your account, products, editorial, technical issues, [visit our Help Page]( © 2018 Yankee Publishing Inc. All rights reserved. [View web version](