Illinois’ Coming Winter: Here’s What One Almanac Is Predicting

The predictions just came out a few days back, so I thought this was a good time to share them with you, even though we're still technically enjoying summertime. Fall starts on Sunday, September 22nd at 7:43am CDT, and winter begins on Saturday, December 21st (winter ends on March 20th, 2025).

I figure if the almanac folks can work hard and get their winter weather predictions ready to go and printed by the first of September, the least we could do is to check them out.

The almanac I'm referring to is the Old Farmer's Almanac, and even though their weather predictions come out months and months before the actual weather takes place, they claim a very high accuracy rate:

Although neither we nor any other forecasters have as yet gained sufficient insight into the mysteries of the universe to predict the weather with total accuracy, we correctly predict the weather about 80% of the time.

Can I Trust Predictions From An Almanac, Even If It's From An Old Farmer?

Hold on, I know what you're thinking. Why should we put even the smallest bit of trust in weather prognostications that predict the weather months from now? Because...umm...well...because that's what you do, that's why. You don't question it when Uncle Lou says his knee is telling him that a storm's coming, do you? Of course not. That would be wrong. And rude.

Before we get to the Old Farmer's Almanac predictions for Illinois' winter, ask yourself what the perfect winter conditions in Northern Illinois would be for you.

If you answered 80 degrees and sunshine, it might be time to join the thousands of Illinois residents who've taken up residence in the Sun Belt.

If You're Hoping For An Abundance Of Snow This Winter In Illinois, You May Arrive In Spring Feeling Disappointed

Assuming that the Old Farmer's Almanac weather prognosticators are spot-on with their predictions, Illinois and our neighboring states that make up the Lower Lakes region on the almanac's map are going to experience less-than-normal amounts of snowfall and other forms of precipitation.

Patch.com:

Here, winter will be warmer than normal in the east and colder than normal in the west, with coldest periods expected in early and late November, in early December, and from late January into early February, with most snow expected in late December, from late January into early February, and from late February into early March.

Bottom line: It looks like less snow, and less bitter cold than we normally get.