This Winter Will Be a Cold One!

by Mary Ann Romans | More from this Blogger

25 Aug 2008 10:59 AM

If you have been putting off getting new more efficient windows, caulking your window and door frames or even moving to a warmer climate, this may be the year to do it. According to the Farmers' Almanac , which goes on sale this week, most of the United States of America will see colder than average temperatures with more snowfall than usual.

This news is especially harsh considering that the cost of home heating fuel has risen so much. We kept our thermostat pretty low last year and got by, but the cost of our oil has increased for this coming year. And with more colder degree days predicted, I can only imagine what will be the cost to heat our home.

Two-thirds of the nation are in for a harsher winter than we had last year, with only the far west and the southeast to see average temperatures, according to the Farmers' Almanac . The magazine makes its predictions two years in advance and claims a 80-85 percent accuracy rate. The predictions are made by a reclusive person who uses a secret formula that takes into consideration such factors as sun spots, the tidal pull of the moon, the positions of the planets, the frequency of fog and the amount of acorns that are produced in a season.

We do usually keep a Farmers' Almanac around the house, usually for the unusual stories that are including in the magazine, such as the winner of the watermelon spitting contest and the article about pets that come back to visit after death. The ads are pretty interesting, too. Did you know that you could buy your own machine that will produce compost that you can then sell for profit?

We also do look at the weather predictions, and I do have to say that although they may be off by a day or two, they do seem surprisingly accurate, although it did miss the freak hail storm we had a couple of weeks ago.

What do you think? Will we be in for more winter soon?

Mary Ann Romans writes about everything related to saving money in the Frugal Blog, creating a home in the Home Blog and caring for little ones in the Baby Blog. You can read more of her articles by clicking here.

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Learn more about Mary Ann Romans

Mary Ann Romans is a freelance writer, wife and mother of three children. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, the kids and a 16-pound cat.

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jonesx6 (1606) 25 Aug 2008 03:29 PM

I saw the article on the cold winter online the other day. Honestly I think our area is due for a real cold and snowy winter.

I guess time will tell. Laura

Dale Harcombe (10327) 25 Aug 2008 08:54 PM

It's been a colder winter here in Australia than normal, so maybe the USA is following that pattern. This time last year we were still in T shirt and shorts but now it is definitely pants and sweaters and coats etc. We've even had a frost which is unusual for the coast. No snow, like we would have been getting if we haven't moved from where we used to live.

Mary Ann Romans (26876) 26 Aug 2008 04:28 AM

I still have thoughts of the beach in my head, so I can't even think of cold yet!