Sunshine or snow? Longtime prognosticators differ on spring predictions

Jessica Trufant, The Patriot Ledger
·2 min read

QUINCY – Weary of winter? The Old Farmer’s Almanac has some good news for the weeks ahead: The arrival of an early spring.

The Old Farmer’s Almanac, founded in 1792, makes its predictions by “comparing solar patterns and historical weather conditions with current solar activity,” according to the publication.

But it's younger cousin of sorts, the Farmer's Almanac, says "the brrr is back," and expects the cold weather to stick around.

Spring officially starts March 19.

Old Farmer’s Almanac predicts an early spring

The Old Farmer’s Almanac is predicting a warmer-than-average spring on the East Coast and “hopefully, by the time Easter arrives March 31, we’ll have left all that wintery weather behind us.”

Both March and April are expected to be warmer than normal, with below-average precipitation. May is also expected to be warm, but wet.

Bright yellow daffodils shine in the warm spring sun at the Adams National Historic Park or "Peace Field" off Adams Street on Monday April 3, 2023
Bright yellow daffodils shine in the warm spring sun at the Adams National Historic Park or "Peace Field" off Adams Street on Monday April 3, 2023

Farmer's Almanac says winter weather will linger

But the Farmers’ Almanac, founded in 1818, says we can expect to see "a cool and stormy season for most places of the United States."

"The Farmers’ Almanac long-range weather forecast calls for many days of cold temperatures, with some possible late snow through much of April over the Northeast," it predicts.

The Farmers' Almanac won't share it's exact method for predicting the weather, but says it uses an "exclusive mathematical and astronomical formula" that relies on sunspot activity, tidal action, planetary position and other factors. The Almanac's forecaster is referred to by the pseudonym Caleb Weatherbee.

Hornstra Dairy Farm in Norwell with it's iconic silos and red barn during a snow storm. Light snow fall across the South Shore on Tuesday Jan. 16, 2024
Hornstra Dairy Farm in Norwell with it's iconic silos and red barn during a snow storm. Light snow fall across the South Shore on Tuesday Jan. 16, 2024

Which prediction is more accurate?

The Farmers' Almanac admits that "weather forecasting, and long-range forecasting, in particular, remains an inexact science." Even still, it claims an accuracy rate of about 80% to 85%.

The Old Farmer’s Almanac claims to be accurate 80% of the time, but also admits "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."

This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Old Farmer’s Almanac, Farmer’s Almanac differ on spring predictions