2021 Weather – Are we getting 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.]( [Old Farmer's Almanac Club]( [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. [Old Farmer's Almanac Club]( Photo Credit: standret/Getty Images 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 with 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, jet streams, 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. [NEW FOR 2022! Now accepting pre-sale orders! Get 49% off Charter Membership in the Old Farmer’s Almanac Club!]( [Old Farmer's Almanac Club]( Get Your Special Pass—Access to the World's Most Beloved Almanac! [Save 49% when you claim your Old Farmer’s Almanac Club Charter Membership—become a Charter Member today!]( [Yes! Place My Pre-Sale Order!]( [How Accurate Was our Weather Forecast Last Year?]( Our overall accuracy rate in forecasting the direction of temperature change from the previous year for 2020–2021 winter was 72.2%. Our forecast for the change in precipitation from last winter was 77.8% accurate, giving us an overall accuracy rate of 75%—slightly below our traditional 80% rate. Our forecast that snowfall would be greater than normal in the Northeast was close, but the actual area was from Connecticut to Philadelphia. We were also close in forecasting above-normal snowfall in Wisconsin, with the actual area from southern Wisconsin to Chicago. Our forecasts of above-normal snowfall in the High Plains and northern Alaska were correct. [Get Weather Predictions for 2021-2022]( What’s shaping the weather in 2021? We are currently in Solar Cycle 25 which is expected to bring very low solar activity. Although such minimal activity has historically meant cooler temperatures across Earth, we believe most of the US will have colder than normal temperatures this winter, but above normal temperatures in the summer. How warm? 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 Club](! [Old Farmer's Almanac Club]( [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](! Weather waits for no one! If you want a full year of weather predictions and lots more useful information, wit, and wisdom, you can get it and more with an[Old Farmer’s Almanac Club Membership]([Old Farmer’s Almanac Club Membership](! [NEW FOR 2022! Now accepting pre-sale orders! Get 49% off Charter Membership in the Old Farmer’s Almanac Club!]( [Old Farmer's Almanac Club]( Get Your Special Pass—Access to the World's Most Beloved Almanac! [Save 49% when you claim your Old Farmer’s Almanac Club Charter Membership—become a Charter Member today!]( [Yes! Place My Pre-Sale Order!]( With an [Old Farmer’s Almanac Weather Best Value Club Membership](, you’ll get the collectible hardcover 2021 edition of the Almanac, our monthly digital magazine, EXTRA!, and so much more! 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](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. [NEW FOR 2022!]( [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 Club Charter Membership!]( This exciting club is designed especially for you—and it’s packed with articles, advice, best days, and fun facts! 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 2022, plus some fantastic bonuses when you join today. More about those bonuses 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 your [Old Farmer’s Almanac 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! [NEW FOR 2022! Now accepting pre-sale orders! Get 49% off Charter Membership in the Old Farmer's Almanac Club!]( [Old Farmer's Almanac Club]( [Get Your Special Pass—Access to the World's Most Beloved Almanac!]( [Save 49% when you claim your Old Farmer's Almanac Club Charter Membership—become a Charter Member today!]( [Yes! Place My Pre-Sale Order!]( 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 endeavour 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 can be uplifting, and we hope you like our light-hearted fun and find the joy in chuckling at our witty words. This will make you smile, too: Every edition of The Old Farmer’s Almanac is fresh, new, and designed to make the new year one of the best ever. How do we do that? With entertaining and informative articles. With your [Charter Membership](, you’ll be able to read about: - Hot trends for 2022: Forecasts, facts, and fascinating ideas that define our life and times, including the future of farming, a new farming buzzword to add to your vocabulary, tech tools for farmers, new veggie varieties to watch for, and more! - Small-Space Gardening: Hang a planter, get a harvest. - Going Natural: Some gardeners are walking on the rewilding side. - Healthy Eating: More meat-free alternatives, restaurant-level food at home, and where to find a quick (and healthy!) bite on the road. - Flavor Craving: Try familiar flavors in new, innovative ways. - Pampered Pets: Pet-size Murphy beds, hands-free leashes, tastier pet food. - And more—almost 300 pages of riveting content! Plus, charts, maps, and photos bring it all to life for you—making every article and every table easy to understand and follow. But that’s just the beginning! Here’s just some of what else you’ll discover in the 2022 Almanac: - Your Health Outlook: Food as medicine, adaptable sleepwear, faster healing. - Remains to Be Seen: People have been preserving pets, wild animals—even other people—for millennia. Read about the ones still on display and where you can see them. - The Tooth, the Whole Tooth, and Nothing But the Tooth: History, superstitions, myths, facts, and some of the strangest toothache cures we’ve ever heard. - Beyond the Pumpkin Patch: Check out the Heirloom Hall of Fame for inspiration to plant squash and pumpkins that are anything but ordinary. - The Art and Science of Animal Tracking: Get closer to nature when you learn to read the signs our wild friends leave behind. - Nature’s Signs Mean Fish on Lines: Whatever the season, there are telltale signs you can look for to find the perfect fishing spot. - The Star-Spangled School Project: Meet the industrious student who designed our current American flag. - Beyond the Boards: Get a look behind the scenes of the legendary Canada-Soviet hockey summit, and find out how boxing factored into the competition on ice. - Fine-Tune Your Family Tree: 10 simple tips for digging down deep to reach all of your roots! - What, the Hail?: Track the formation and destructive power of these balls of ice that can be as small as a BB or bigger than a softball. - All this and too much more to mention for nearly 300 pages of riveting content! [NEW FOR 2022! Now accepting pre-sale orders! Get 49% off Charter Membership in the Old Farmer's Almanac Club!]( [Old Farmer's Almanac Club]( [Get Your Special Pass—Access to the World's Most Beloved Almanac!]( [Save 49% when you claim your Old Farmer's Almanac Club Charter Membership—become a Charter Member today!]( [Yes! Place My Pre-Sale Order!]( [An Old Farmer’s Almanac Club Charter Membership will deliver exciting rewards for you—and for a special rate 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 2022—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 Charter Member](? [What you’ll get with an Old Farmer’s Almanac Club Charter Membership.]( When you claim your Old Farmer’s Almanac Club Charter Membership today, your Charter membership will include: - The Old Farmer’s Almanac: 2022 Classic Paperback Edition—This version of the Almanac comes with a pre-drilled hole in the corner so you can hang it for easy access in your kitchen or potting shed. It’s packed with everything you’ve come to expect in the world’s premier Almanac. - The Old Farmer's Almanac: 2022 Digital Edition—Everything you love about the Almanac, and then some. It’s portable and printable! Need to check the tides while you’re on the road? It's all just a click away! - The Old Farmer's Almanac: Your Local Almanac—Get detailed information about where you live—specific sunrise/sunset times, moonrise/moonset times, and more from our calendar of the heavens. - The Old Farmer’s Almanac 2022 Weather Wall Calendar—Enjoy stunning photography of spectacular weather around the world month after month. - The Old Farmer’s Almanac 1822 Replica Digest—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! - The Old Farmer’s Almanac 1922 Replica Digest—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! - The Old Farmer’s Almanac EXTRA!—A treasure trove of digital updates and Almanac content not found in the printed edition. - BONUS: Complete access to our EXTRA! library, with 60+ digital issues at your fingertips any time! - BONUS: The Old Farmer's Almanac 2022 Country Wall Calendar—If you love the country, you'll feel right at home with these stunning photographs from top photographers. And all of this is available to you—right now—when you claim your [Old Farmer’s Almanac Club Charter Membership.]( What are you waiting for? 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! [NEW FOR 2022! Now accepting pre-sale orders! Get 49% off Charter Membership in the Old Farmer's Almanac Club!]( [Old Farmer's Almanac Club]( [Get Your Special Pass—Access to the World's Most Beloved Almanac!]( [Save 49% when you claim your Old Farmer's Almanac Club Charter Membership—become a Charter Member today!]( [Yes! Place My Pre-Sale Order!]( [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 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 “Old Farmer's Almanac 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 Club Charter Membership](. Special Pre-Sale Offer is Now in Effect — 49% Discount! 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 Club today, and you’ll get access to unique Almanac content that you can’t find anywhere else! Join other weather and astronomy watchers, gardeners, nature and food lovers, and trivia fans—for 49% 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 Club Charter Member]( today—while this special 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 Club](—including your 2022 issue of the Almanac …and all the other great publications and calendars, too! [NEW FOR 2022! Now accepting pre-sale orders! Get 49% off Charter Membership in the Old Farmer's Almanac Club!]( [Old Farmer's Almanac Club]( [Get Your Special Pass—Access to the World's Most Beloved Almanac!]( [Save 49% when you claim your Old Farmer's Almanac Club Charter Membership—become a Charter Member today!]( [Yes! Place My Pre-Sale Order!]( We reserve the right to substitute items based on availability. Are you on social? Enjoy more Almanac wit & wisdom! [Facebook]( [Instagram]( [YouTube]( [Pinterest]( [Twitter]( [Visit Almanac.com]( [Shop Our Store]( You received this email because you signed for updates from The Old Farmer's Almanac. If you do not wish to receive our regular e-mail newsletter in the future, please [click here to manage preferences](. *Please do not reply to this e-mail* © 2021 Yankee Publishing Inc. An Employee-Owned Company 1121 Main Street | P.O. Box 520 | Dublin, NH 03444 [Contact Us]( [View web version](