Old Farmer’s Almanac Predicts ‘Mild With Pockets of Wild’ Winter

The Old Farmer’s Almanac has officially released its 2025-26 Winter Weather Forecast, and the message for the United States is straightforward: “Mostly mild — with pockets of wild.” Much of the country is expected to see near-normal to slightly milder conditions overall, but significant cold and snow events are still projected for specific regions.

“Don’t lose track of your snow shovels and umbrellas,” editor Carol Connare reminded readers. “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.”

On the surface, this forecast may look similar to what the Old Farmer’s Almanac talked about ahead of the 2024-25 winter, where things were projected to be generally gentler and “uneventful.” While many households and farms this year may welcome the reprieve from relentless cold, this almanac’s forecast makes it clear that the season will bring plenty of regional challenges.

The forces shaping this year’s outlook include the waning of La Niña as the Pacific shifts back to neutral, a factor that often rearranges jet stream tracks. The tail end of Solar Cycle 25 is nudging temperatures higher on a global scale, while stable Atlantic and Pacific ocean oscillations continue to influence storm paths. Most importantly, the polar vortex, when disrupted, could still send blasts of Arctic air far south, delivering those “wild” surprises.

Across the U.S., the picture is mixed. Northeastern states are expected to be milder and drier, while the Southeast and Florida may face colder and wetter conditions, with implications for citrus, winter vegetables, and forage. The Appalachians could experience a harsher season with heavier snow in the southern mountains. Midwestern regions lean milder with less snow, although lake-effect bursts remain a concern. The Ohio Valley stands out as one of the snowier zones this winter, while the Deep South trends warmer and drier.

Ranchers in the High Plains and farmers across the Heartland may see fewer storms, but late-winter cold spells could still hit at critical points in the calving season. In the West, drier conditions in the Pacific Northwest and Southwest raise questions about snowpack and irrigation reserves heading into spring.

The Canadian forecast mirrors many of these themes, though with regional twists that farmers north of the border will need to watch closely. In Atlantic Canada, temperatures are expected to run below normal with increased precipitation, suggesting a wetter, stormier season for the Maritimes. Quebec and Ontario should prepare for colder-than-average conditions, with snowier periods likely to impact winter grains and livestock operations.

The Prairie Provinces lean milder overall but with swings that could bring sudden cold snaps, challenging winter wheat survival and feedlot management. Farther west, British Columbia is forecast to be warmer and drier than usual, a pattern that could exacerbate concerns about snowpack and spring water supplies. In the North, Yukon and the Northwest Territories may experience more variable conditions, with milder stretches punctuated by Arctic outbreaks.

For agricultural producers across North America, the Almanac’s outlook is a reminder that even in a “mostly mild” year, winter remains a season of risk. Cold snaps in the Southeast can threaten unprotected citrus groves, while drier-than-usual stretches in the West could affect irrigation planning months in advance. Livestock producers everywhere should remain ready for sudden weather turns, maintaining feed reserves and infrastructure to withstand both warmth-induced mud and quick-hitting freezes.

Ultimately, the 2025-26 forecast points to a winter that may feel gentler in many regions, but with enough volatility to keep farmers, ranchers, and rural communities on their toes. 

Where can you get a copy of the 2025 Old Farmers’ Almanac? 

The 2025 Old Farmers’ Almanac, with its yellow and green cover, is now available in bookstores and retail stores and on Amazon and Almanac.com. Not just for farmers, the Old Farmers’ Almanac reaches a broader audience with husbandry tips, days to cut your hair or mow your lawn (that you won’t see for a while), and how to quit bad habits, brew beer, and grow basil. 

The Old Farmer’s Almanac is North America’s most popular reference guide on agriculture and weather and one that is different from the similarly titled Farmer’s Almanac.