August 27, 2025

I want to point out that this report is before Labor Day and we are already looking ahead to the winter season. Why? Well, the two leading Farmers Almanacs have put out their Winter Outlooks and snow lovers (like me) great any insight with great anticipation.

Recent winters have fallen short of expectations and averages for my home region based on Baltimore at BWI.

RECENT WINTER SNOWFALLS

• 2020 to 2021 = 10.9”
• 2021 to 2022 = 14.4”
• 2022 to 2023 = 0.2” *THE LOWEST ON RECORD SINCE 1883
• 2023 to 2024 = 11.3”
• 2024 to 2025 = 12.7”
• 30 Year Average = 19.3” snow

There may be some additional interest now that it seems like summer has ended early! After July brought Baltimore 14 days above 90℉ and 2.3℉ ABOVE AVERAGE temperatures, this month of August stands 2.5℉ BELOW AVERAGE in my home region. This is reflected across much of the Eastern US.

Does this currently weather give us a signal? Well, one old Winter Weather Folklore states:

If a cold August follows a hot July, it foretells a winter hard and dry!

Now enter the The Two Most Popular Farmers Almanacs. Yes, there are quite a few of them. Both listed below indicate a colder winter. Here is a brief look and how you can dig even deeper.

TWO POPULAR FARMERS ALMANACS

• The Old Farmer’s Almanac, founded in 1792
• Farmers’ Almanac, founded in 1818

Last year, both had headlines “Mild and Snowy” & “Mild and Wet”. Well, we did have a 6 week period with active storms AND a cold spell that produced ice on The Chesapeake Bay down to the Bay Bridge.

Temperatures locally were near average in December, COLDER in January, and Warmer in February and March.

Note: That was the same winter that brought an historic snow to The Gulf Coast.

We will not get specifics in the vague seasonal overview. This year, it is a bit more subdued. We can either see this as more reasonable or maybe their version of using the word ‘quiet’.

The Old Farmer’s Almanac

States an 80% accuracy

Mostly Mild—with Pockets of Wild!

That’s the big picture: most of the United States can expect a typical or slightly milder winter—but some regions should brace for a sharper chill.

Note: Here in the Mid Atlantic, we are highlighted to be split:

Mild and Dry across I-95, but Cold and Dry inland. Also pointing to Cold and Snow to our South into North Carolina.

“Don’t lose track of your snow shovels and umbrellas,” says Editor Carol Connare. “Most areas will experience near-normal to slightly milder temperatures, but from the Appalachians south through the Southeast and Florida, and westward across the Ohio Valley, we’re predicting a colder-than-normal winter.”

Region 2: Metro and Coast = Atlantic Corridor

(Atlantic City, Baltimore, Boston, Hartford, New York, Philadelphia, Providence, Richmond, Washington, D.C.)

Milder and drier, with most snow falling around the holidays and late winter
Fewer snow days could ease commutes, but not as we get ready to usher in 2026

• Temperatures: Above normal
• Coldest periods: Mid- to late December, early and late January
• Precipitation: Below normal
• Snowfall: Below normal; snowiest periods in late December, early January, late February

Region 3: Inland = Appalachians

(Asheville, Elmira, Frederick, Harrisburg, Roanoke, Scranton)

Colder than usual with a split snow story: lighter in the north, heavier in the south
Bundle up and prep for winter chores—especially in the southern mountains.

• Temperatures: Below normal
• Coldest periods: Mid- and late December, early and late January, early February
• Precipitation: Below normal
• Snowfall: Below normal in the north and above south; the most snow will arrive in late December, late January, early and late February, mid-March

Explore More

Their Full Extended Forecast

Buy your copy:

The 2025 Old Farmer’s Almanac is available in stores wherever books and magazines are sold.

• Almanac.com/Shop

Farmers’ Almanac:

“Chill, Snow, Repeat”

More Focus:

Frequent snowstorms in New England should keep snow lovers happy. Areas up and down the Atlantic Coast will see significant rain, mixing with snow from time to time. The Mid-Atlantic region is forecast to see some decent snow, especially for areas in the mountains.

The Great Lakes, Ohio Valley, and North Central states are set for a classic winter wonderland, while the Pacific Northwest mountains are gearing up for some impressive snowfall totals.

Winter in the Southeast will see average temperatures with many wet periods. Northern portions, particularly in the Appalachian regions, may see occasional snow events.

RELATED: Famers Almanac 2024 – 2025 Accuracy

This almanac does not mention their accuracy rate. Rather, they state this:

“Today, our formula uses some of the original rules set forth back in 1818 but also accounts for fluctuations in the environment on Earth, as well as sunspots, the motion of the Moon, and other proprietary factors. Yes, nature throws us a curveball from time to time, but it doesn’t stop us from going out on a limb to not only predict what the weather may bring up to a year in advance, but to also put it in print.

Buy Your Copy

Farmers Almanac Hardcopy And Online Subscriptions

Explore More

Their Full Extended Forecast

How Does The Farmer’s Almanac Predict The Weather?

How Accurate? Review Of Winters Since 1954

My Take

I always encourage getting information from multiple sources. That is why I show you others and gladly support you visiting them or getting your own copy to explore fully.

Both of these reports are colder than last year’s outlooks! That is encouraging or snow lovers.

Preparing my winter outlook takes a little more time. I will do my research and work on it over the next two months. I aim to have my perspective within a week of Halloween.

Two Factors For This Winter:

ENSO

The El Niño/Southern Oscillation is currently neutral but often expected to be a major player. There is a La Niña Watch for the Pacific waters around the equator to trend colder.  This may play a role in the winter storm pattern in North America. La Niña winters often tend to be warmer.

Polar Vortex

Under certain combinations of meteorological conditions, the polar vortex can be displaced from the North Pole, which could open the door for cold blasts to hit southern Canada and the central and eastern United States during this upcoming winter.

Click here for more on these winter patterns and local LOW SNOW history.

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Maryland Trek 12 Day 7 Completed Sat August 9

UPDATED: We raised OVER $166,000 for Just In Power Kids – AND Still Collecting More

The annual event: Hiking and biking 329 miles in 7 days between The Summit of Wisp to Ocean City.

Each day, we honor a kid and their family’s cancer journey.

Fundraising is for Just In Power Kids: Funding Free Holistic Programs. I never have and never will take a penny. It is all for our nonprofit to operate.

Click here or the image to donate:

THANK YOU:

Baltimore Sun Magazine Readers Choice Best Of Baltimore

RESTATING MY MESSAGE ABOUT DYSLEXIA

I am aware there are some spelling and grammar typos and occasional other glitches. I take responsibility for my mistakes and even the computer glitches I may miss. I have made a few public statements over the years, but if you are new here, you may have missed it: I have dyslexia and found out during my second year at Cornell University. It didn’t stop me from getting my meteorology degree and being the first to get the AMS CBM in the Baltimore/Washington region. One of my professors told me that I had made it that far without knowing and to not let it be a crutch going forward. That was Mark Wysocki, and he was absolutely correct! I do miss my mistakes in my own proofreading. The autocorrect spell check on my computer sometimes does an injustice to make it worse. I also can make mistakes in forecasting. No one is perfect at predicting the future. All of the maps and information are accurate. The ‘wordy’ stuff can get sticky.  There has been no editor who can check my work while writing and to have it ready to send out in a newsworthy timeline. Barbara Werner is a member of the web team that helps me maintain this site. She has taken it upon herself to edit typos when she is available. That could be AFTER you read this. I accept this and perhaps proves what you read is really from me… It’s part of my charm. #FITF