I keep hearing the 2025/2026 winter will start early, but mild until January and February. Thats when our winter turns harsh with a lot of snow. Do I BUY INTO THAT? Let’s find out.

When it comes to predicting what the upcoming winter weather will be in the Northwoods, does anyone really know? There is the OLD FARMERS ALMANAC, the NEW FARMERS ALMANAC, the (NWS) NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE, ACCUWEATHER and the (NOAA) NATIONAL OCEANIC ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION. Then there is the ALLNORTHWOODS prediction that will tell everyone how to prepare for this coming winter at the end of this article.

I keep hearing that 2025/2026 winter is coming early and it’s going to be harsh with a lot of snow. So, who’s right and who’s wrong?  Well let’s see. The OLD farmer’s almanac’s secret formula for predicting weather was developed in the late 1700s. They claim an 80% accuracy rate. Then the NEW farmer’s almanac claims to be 52% accurate. Was the old one better? Many meteorologists say the almanac is for entertainment, because it’s not based on science and their predictions are fairly broad without specifics.

With advance technology and environmental satellites, the short-term prediction is 90% accurate but over ten days, the percentage starts going down. It’s noted ALL future forecasts are only right 1/2 the time, but ACCUWEATHER has been correct more than the others. Now, does anyone believe in those old wives’ tales, myths and folklore predictions?

Believe in them or not, here are a few of them.
* If birds fly south early, the winter will come sooner and will be colder, but if you still see migrating birds in November, the winter will be mild.
* If there’s more morning fog in August, the upcoming winter will have more snow.
* Larger amounts of acorns on the ground and thicker acorn shells, along with bigger pinecones, mean a colder and snowier winter.
* Beavers will build bigger dams with a larger number of sticks on the north side before a harsh winter.
* A squirrel’s tale will be bushier and if squirrels store a larger number of nuts up in trees, there will be more snow.
* If a wooly caterpillars orange band is narrow, it will be a much colder winter with more snow, but if the orange band is wider, the winter will be mild and shorter.

I’m sure there are many more ways or signs that some people believe in or can predict what kind of winter weather is ahead. What people buy into or have their own beliefs is fine with me. I can’t say I believe in all of the animal signs for a harsh winter, but there could be a few that hold merit.

I’m on the fence about a few of the wives’ tales and folklore above, but I BELEIVE THAT OUR ANIMALS ARE NATURE’S METEOROLOGISTS.

Early winter?
The deer I have seen HAVE started to change color. What does that mean? Deer has the ability to adapt to weather because body temperature is crucial. Changing from that summer reddish brown to winter grayish color regulates their internal temperature and because I see more reddish than gray deer, I’m thinking we will NOT have an early winter. Then, fox breeding season starts late December and peaks in January. Fox can/will be more vocal during this time if February is going to be colder because harsher conditions heighten competition for a mate. I guess we will find out if this is true in February.

SO, HERE IS ALLNORTHWOODS.COM PREDICTION AND FORCAST FOR 2025/2026 WINTER.
LET’S JUST WAIT AND SEE.

I say, IF IT’S COLD, layer cloths. IF IT’S BRUTAL, stay home and put another log on the fire. If there is a lot of snow, make sure your snowmobile is running well and enjoy the great trails.