You Might Be Surprised To Hear The Predictions About Ohio's Frigid Upcoming Winter
By Sarah McCosham|Published September 12, 2023
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Sarah McCosham
Author
I write like it's my job - because it is! I have a Master's in English and love words: crossword puzzles, Scrabble games, Wordle, and, of course, good, old-fashioned books.
I'm a writer and editor at OnlyInYourState, and a contributing writer at Cincinnati Magazine. I love the Great Outdoors and am endlessly awestruck by this beautiful country of ours. Coffee keeps me going, yoga keeps me sane, my kids keep me grounded, and my writing keeps me inspired.
If there’s one thing Ohioans love to talk about, it’s the weather. We brag about having four distinct seasons (sometimes within the span of 24 hours!) and treat perfunctory “how’s the weather?” questions like master’s theses. While we’re just entering the fall season here in Ohio, the recent release of the Farmers’ Almanac prediction maps for the upcoming winter have us shaking in our boots! The 2023-2024 Farmers’ Almanac predictions are in, and it looks like we’re in for below-average temperatures and some significant snowstorms this winter in Ohio.
Most of the time, Ohio experiences a winter with a few big snowfalls, a couple notable cold snaps, and a whole lot of "wintry mixes" -- AKA, ice storms.
There are some notable exceptions, of course, especially in the Lake Erie snowbelt, a region that extends from the eastern suburbs of Cleveland through extreme northeastern Ohio into northwestern Pennsylvania and western New York. Clevelanders are used to frigid, snow-filled winters, while Ohio's southern cities generally experience tamer winters by comparison.
Not this year, however. The Farmers’ Almanac unleashes an annual extended winter forecast for the U.S., and this year is expected to bring below-average temperatures and snowstorms galore for much of the country -- Ohio included.
For reference, the Farmers' Almanac is a long-standing publication that uses a mathematical and astronomical formula to predict what the coming months will bring. The formula is a closely-guarded secret, accounting for historical data, the position of the planets, and even solar activity. It's not exact science, but it is reliable, and it's always fun to see what the folks at the Farmers' Almanac have to say about the upcoming winter!
Ohio is divided into two major regions: the Lower Lakes region, which shares a general climate with Buffalo, Chicago, and Detroit, and the Ohio Valley region, which is comprised of Pittsburgh, Louisville, Charleston, and Cincinnati. For the purposes of the Farmers' Almanac winter predictions, though, *all* of Ohio is included for the winter 2023-24 forecast, which is looking to be "cold and stormy" with significant precipitation.
After a rainy and warm September and October, wintry weather will prevail by November and December. Temperatures will be slightly lower than normal with slightly above-average precipitation.
With cold temperatures predicted this winter in Ohio, expect lots of "wintry mixes" in Cincinnati, and significant snowfall for northern parts of the Buckeye State. This might make interstate travel tricky, so be sure and watch the forecasts and have your car well-stocked for any emergencies!
Looking ahead to spring, the Farmers' Almanac is expecting continued cold temps and some late-season snowstorms. My advice? Embrace the cold and snow! Just like the other three seasons of the year, winter passes all too quickly. And the upcoming winter is looking to be a beautifully snowy and cozy one, indeed.
If the winter the Farmers’ Almanac predicts for Ohio pans out, we’ve got some chilly days ahead of us. My advice? Carpe diem and enjoy all the fall foliage and fall festivals while you can! And invest in some quality snow boots…
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