Did you know that the Farmers’ Almanac has been publishing long-range weather forecasts since 1818? Now more than 200 years old, the publication has released its outlook for the winter of 2025–2026, and it predicts a season of dramatic shifts across the country.
Farmers’ Almanac predictions in California
For California, the Almanac is calling for a wet winter paired with average temperatures. Editor Sandi Duncan told USA Today that residents should expect some decent rainfall before winds pick up in late January — a pattern that could help reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires like those that struck the Los Angeles area last year.
“Hopefully, it will be enough moisture in the air in California that we don’t see anything crazy like it was last year,” Duncan said.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Climate Prediction Center (CPC) has also weighed in with its own long-range forecast.
For Southern California, CPC anticipates above-normal temperatures from December 2025 through February 2026, along with below-normal precipitation. In Northern California, precipitation odds fall into the “equal chances” category — meaning there’s no strong signal for wetter or drier-than-normal conditions.
These predictions follow a dry, sunny fall across much of the Pacific Southwest.
“Chill, Snow, Repeat”
Beyond California, the Almanac expects a theme of “Chill, Snow, Repeat” for much of the country. January and February could bring cold blasts through the Northern Plains, Great Lakes, and New England, with frequent snowstorms for the Great Lakes, New England, and mountain regions in the mid-Atlantic and Pacific Northwest.
The southern states — especially Texas and its neighbors — are forecasted to see a wetter-than-normal winter.
About the Farmers’ Almanac
For more than two centuries, the Farmers’ Almanac has combined astronomical events, solar activity, lunar cycles, and other natural patterns to craft its forecasts, alongside advice for gardeners and stargazers.
You can read more about Farmers’ Almanac‘s 2025-2026 winter forecast here.