Old Farmer’s Almanac Says Michigan’s Winter Will Be Warm, Wet, and Weird
Well, here we are at the end of summer, and as most of us get ready for fall, the Old Farmer's Almanac (OFA) is already thinking about the next season: winter. As always, the OFA is here to help you plan ahead with a long-term forecast of what we Michiganders can expect this winter.
In recent years, the OFA has nailed some big calls, so what do they say about the most dreadful wonderful time of the year?
Old Farmer's Almanac's Winter Prediction For Michigan
The OFA predicted a pretty normal fall, but this winter is expected to be anything but. This summer was unrelentingly hot, and those above-average temps are expected to carry into winter, according to The Old Farmer's Almanac's 2026 Winter Forecast. They forecast above-normal precipitation, so we may face a wet and rainy couple of months.
READ MORE: Sick Of The Heat? Farmer’s Almanac Predicts A ‘Cool and Dry’ Fall
That doesn't mean we won't get snow, though. The OFA is predicting a "classic winter January", with the snowiest (and coldest!) periods of winter bookending the month, possibly spilling into the start of February. The main reason for this mild winter may be another El Niño, which tends to nudge the jet stream north and keep things warmer.
The OFA correctly predicted much of last winter's intense January weather, which brought large storms, sub-zero temps, and snowfall on 27 of its 31 days.
Nothing against the OFA, but I personally hope they're wrong about this winter. As annoying and sometimes dangerous as snow can be, it doesn't feel right when the ground isn't covered in a blanket of white.
Annual Snowfall Totals In Grand Rapids, MI Since 2000
Gallery Credit: Tommy McNeill
20+ Birds Around Michigan You'll See During The Winter
Gallery Credit: Tommy McNeill
