Old Farmer’s Almanac Releases Detroit Winter Forecast

The Old Farmer's Almanac has released its long-range weather predictions for the rest of 2016 and into 2017.

If the publication's long-range forecast is accurate, Michiganders can expect average temperatures to continue through early fall, a warmer-than-normal winter and below normal snowfall through the winter.

“Our famous predictions (traditionally 80 percent accurate) are made 18 months in advance, and meant to help you make more informed decisions for long-term planning,” the publication says.

Here’s what’s predicted for the lower Great Lakes region:

August/September: Look for an average temperature around 71 degrees (2 degrees above normal); and about 3 inches of precipitation, about 1 inch below normal for the remainder of August. September offers more of the same with an average temperature of 65 will be about 3 degrees above normal; precipitation continues to be below normal (about 2.5 inches for the month, 1 inch below normal).

Winter: Temperatures ill be warmer than normal, with below normal precipitation in most of the lower Great Lakes region. The coldest periods will be in late December and early to mid-January, and from mid-January into early February. New York and Illinois are expected to get above normal snowfall. Across the region, the snowiest periods will be in mid-November, late December, early and late January, mid-February, and early March.

April/May: Spring will be warmer and slightly drier than normal.

Summer: The long-range prediction calls for a slightly cooler and rainier summer than normal in 2017. The hottest weather will be in mid-July, but arly July and mid- to late August are also expected to be hot.

September/October: Expect above-normal rainfall and slightly cooler than normal temperatures.

Image: Pat (Cletch) Williams via Flickr / Creative Commons