So, what’s the winter weather going to be like in Richmond, VA? Well, it depends on who you ask.
The Farmer’s Almanac, the Old Farmer’s Almanac, and NOAA all agree that we’ll be cold, and there will be precipitation. However, they disagree on the specifics of long-range winter weather predictions.
The Farmer’s Almanac and the Old Farmer’s Almanac – What’s the Difference?
The Farmer’s Almanac and the Old Farmer’s Almanac have been around for a few hundred years. They both employ secret formulas for predicting long-range weather patterns using a mix of astronomy, the moon, past weather predictions, the ocean, and the solar system.
Both publications say that they’re accurate approximately 80% of the time. However, experts who kept track of past predictions have found that both the almanacs are right about 50% of the time.
According to the Farmer’s Almanac, first published in 1818, the weather prognosticator, Caleb Weatherbee, a pseudonym for the weather forecaster, employs a secret formula that uses the following tools:
- The moon’s tidal action
- The planets’ position
- And a variety of other factors.
Using their secret formula, the Farmer’s Almanac predicts the current year’s weather two years ahead of time.
Meanwhile, the Old Farmer’s Almanac, which started publishing back in 1793, uses
- Solar science
- Climatology
- Meteorology, including past weather patterns to come up with their winter weather predictions.
The Old Farmer’s Almanac’s winter weather predictions include the weak La Nina, Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation, North Atlantic Oscillation, and the Pacific Decadal Oscillation.
Winter Weather Predictions from the Farmer’s Almanac and the Old Farmer’s Almanac
What are both almanacs predicting for the winter of 2021-22? The Farmer’s Almanac says the entire U.S. will have a “Frosty Flip-Flop Winter.”
The Farmer’s Almanac says that the southeastern part of the U.S., including Virginia, will be chilly with a mixed bag of precipitation.
Conversely, the Old Farmer’s Almanac gave a general prediction by saying that 2021-22 will be cold and dry. Also, the Old Farmer’s Almanac named their winter prediction “The Season of Shivers.”
Now, the Old Farmer’s Almanac predictions for the Southeast Region 4 will have winter temperatures below average, with the coldest part in mid-to-late December, including all of January going through mid-February. According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, Virginia will feel like a freezer for six to eight weeks.
The Old Farmer’s Almanac also states that Virginia and the rest of the southeastern U.S. will have below-average precipitation in the northern part of the region. And the southern part of Region 4 will have above-average rainfall.
The Old Farmer’s Almanac also predicts that there will be average snowfall in the southeast region of the U.S. including Virginia.
How NOAA.gov Differs from the Almanacs
If you want a more scientific, transparent prediction, you’ll want to head over to NOAA.gov. NOAA forecasters use cutting-edge observing technologies and computer models to predict well-timed and accurate seasonal outlooks.
NOAA anticipates that Virginia and other eastern states will have a 33% to 40% chance of mild winter temperatures and equal opportunities for below-normal or above-normal precipitation. NOAA doesn’t predict long-term snowfall since that can’t be determined until a week before the storm arrives.
There you have it—two almanacs and one modern weather organization predicting what may or may not happen during the winter of 2021–22.
What Does BCLS Snow and Ice Management Use to Prepare for Snowstorms This Winter?
Fortunately for you, we at BCLS don’t use the Farmer’s Almanac or the Old Farmer’s Almanac to prepare for a snowy winter. Instead, we use up-to-date, advanced digital monitoring technology.
At BCLS Snow and Ice Management, we research and track storm activity as it develops days before the storm arrives in Richmond, VA.
You don’t need to worry or call us about an upcoming storm because we’re already prepared for it.
We supply snow and ice management services for the following commercial properties:
- Apartment complexes
- Flex space
- Health care
- Home Owners Association (HOA)
- Industrial
- Multifamily
- Municipal and government
- Office buildings
- Office parks
- Retail centers
- Retirement facilities
- Shopping malls.
If you need snow and ice management for the winter of 2021-22, you need us at BCLS! Contact us today by calling 804-752-0052 or fill out our contact form.
BCLS Snow and Ice Management Services provide property care to residential and commercial properties throughout Richmond and Central Virginia.
Sources:
Almanac.com, 2021 – 2022 Winter Weather Forecast.
NOAA.gov, U.S. Winter Outlook: Drier, Warmer South, Wetter North with Return of La Nina.
FarmersAlmanac.com, Frosty, Flip-Flop Winter: 2021 – 2022 Extended Weather Forecast.
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