Latest news with #FarmersAlmanac
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Here's what two popular almanacs predict for summer 2025 weather in Illinois
As summer approaches, the rival farmer almanacs have released their forecasts. Both foresee hot − possibly historic − temperatures for much of the country. Here's what the various farmers foresee for Illinois. "The heat is on," says the Farmers' Almanac. When summer officially begins on June 20, the Farmers predict, it will bring "unsettled to stormy conditions for most of the country." The heat will be in full effect by July, "with much of the nation sweltering." The almanac adds, "More long-time high temperature records may be broken this year." For Illinois, the Farmers foresee a "sultry, thunder-filled" season. Severe storms may threaten the Fourth of July holiday, the almanac says, while fair weather is predicted for Labor Day, Sept. 1. Much of the country will see near-average summer precipitation, the Farmers say. More: Two Illinois universities considered among the 'New Ivies' by Forbes. See the list The Farmers' Almanac, which dates to 1818, says its long-range forecast is based on a "mathematical and astronomical" formula that incorporates "sunspot activity, tidal action of the Moon, positions of the planets" and more. It denies the use of computer satellite tracking equipment, weather lore or, rather defensively, groundhogs. It adds, "Fans of the Almanac say our weather forecasts are accurate 80-85% of the time." Summer 2025 is "shaping up to be a doozy!" says the rival Old Farmer's Almanac. Its forecast for June, July and August calls for "a scorcher of a summer." Last year, the nation saw one of the hottest summers on record. This year may be just as intense, the Old Farmer says. The almanac expects 'hot, dry' conditions across most of the United States. An exception will be most of Illinois, which will see "hot, rainy" weather. Above-normal precipitation is predicted for states south of the Great Lakes − including Illinois. The Old Farmer's Almanac claims 80% accuracy in its long-range predictions. It says it employs solar science, climatology and meteorology in its seasonal forecasts. The almanac dates to 1792. More: Two Illinois cities named among the top happiest in the US Neither of the almanacs is considered especially accurate, but both remain popular. Scientific American casts doubt on both publications' predictions. And a University of Illinois study conducted in 2010, cited by Popular Mechanics in 2022, found the Old Farmer's Almanac only about 52% accurate — "essentially random chance." Meanwhile, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has released a weather outlook for June, July and August. The NOAA's Climate Prediction Center foresees temperatures "leaning above" normal in Illinois, with equal chances of above- or below-normal precipitation. More: Forbes named the best employers in the U.S. Here are 54 from Illinois on the list This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Farmers almanacs forecast summer 2025 weather in Illinois
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Here's what two popular almanacs predict for summer 2025 weather in Peoria, Illinois
"The heat is on" for a "doozy" of a summer in Peoria. So say the rival farmer almanacs, both of which predict a searing season in central Illinois. Here's what to expect: Commencing June 20, when summer officially begins, "The heat is on!" says the Farmers' Almanac. The farmers foresee a "sultry, thunder-filled" season for Peoria and the entirety of Illinois, where severe storms may threaten the Fourth of July holiday, while fair weather is predicted for Labor Day, Sept. 1. The Farmers' Almanac, which dates to 1818, says its long-range forecast is based on a "mathematical and astronomical" formula that incorporates "sunspot activity, tidal action of the Moon, positions of the planets" and more. It denies the use of computer satellite tracking equipment, weather lore or, rather defensively, groundhogs. It adds, "Fans of the Almanac say our weather forecasts are accurate 80-85% of the time." Meanwhile, summer 2025 is "shaping up to be a doozy!" says the rival Old Farmer's Almanac. Its forecast for June, July and August calls for "a scorcher of a summer." The farmer places Peoria near the border of two weather regions. To the east, he foresees a "hot, rainy" summer, while to the west a "hot, dry" season is predicted. The Old Farmer's Almanac claims 80% accuracy in its long-range predictions. It says it employs solar science, climatology and meteorology in its seasonal forecasts. The almanac dates to 1792. More: Take a dip in these 15 public swimming pools around the Peoria area in summer 2025 Neither of the almanacs is considered especially accurate, but both remain popular. Scientific American casts doubt on both publications' predictions. And a University of Illinois study conducted in 2010, cited by Popular Mechanics in 2022, found the Old Farmer's Almanac only about 52% accurate — "essentially random chance." This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Farmers almanacs forecast summer 2025 weather in Peoria, Illinois
Yahoo
30-01-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Groundhog Day 2025: Will Punxsutawney Phil, Buckeye Chuck see their shadows? What to know
Ohio's Buckeye Chuck—and his Pennsylvania counterpart who gets more publicity, Punxsutawney Phil—will emerge from their burrows on Sunday to tell us if we can expect an early spring or six more weeks of winter. So why do we rely on these hibernating rodents to forecast the weather? It's a tradition that spans centuries, USA TODAY reports. Here's what to know about Groundhog Day. Weigh in on spring: Will Buckeye Chuck see his shadow? Groundhog Day is Feb. 2. This year it will be on a Sunday. According to lore, the Old Farmer's Almanac says a groundhog will emerge from its burrow on Groundhog Day. If it sees its shadow, it will retreat back into its hole and we can expect another six weeks of winter. If there's no shadow, that's a sign of an early spring. Groundhog Day is an "unusual holiday," according to the Farmers Almanac, that dates back centuries to European traditions. It was originally a Celtic festival marking the year's first cross-quarter day, or a midpoint between seasons, per the almanac. In the Northern Hemisphere, Feb. 2 marks the midpoint between the winter solstice in December and the spring equinox in March. Feb. 2 is also known as St. Brigid's Day, mixing figures from pagan traditions and Christian beliefs. In Europe, groundhogs weren't the animal of choice for the festival, according to the almanac. France and England looked to the bear for a sign. In Germany, it was the badger. German immigrants brought the legend with them when they settled in Pennsylvania in the 1800s. Finding no badgers, they turned to the groundhog. Punxsutawney Phil is the best-known groundhog who has been making predictions since 1886, according to Punxsutawney Groundhog Club. The Groundhog Day tradition as we know it dates to 1887. According to the club, Punxsutawney Phil is also known as the: Seer of Seers Prognosticator of Prognosticators Weather Predictor Extraordinaire Br'er Groundhog National Treasure Buckeye Chuck will return for his 46th year of predicting the weather from 7 to 8 a.m. Sunday at the Marion County Fairgrounds, roughly 50 miles north of Columbus, according to the Marion Star. The event will be broadcast live on 1490 WMRN and on the Buckeye Chuck Facebook fan page. Buckeye Chuck is an animal ambassador who resides at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, according to WMRN. In 1979, the Ohio legislature named him the official groundhog for the Buckeye State, per While Phil is the most famous, he isn't the most accurate, USA TODAY reports. He is only right around 39% of the time, according to the Stormfax Weather Almanac. In comparison, Buckeye Chuck, has been correct an estimated 75% of the time, according to the Marion Star, a part of the USA TODAY Network. This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: When is Groundhog Day 2025? Will Punxsutawney Phil see his shadow?
