‘Sneaky cold’ winter on its way, according to Farmer’s Almanac

The 2023 Old Farmer’s Almanac Canadian Edition is predicting that Canadians will be ambushed by short, intense attacks of colder-than-usual weather this winter, while southern Saskatchewan is likely to have a wet/cold rather than a dry/cold season.

“Frosty, frigid, freezing … however you say ‘cold,’ that’s what’s in store for most Canadians this winter,” said Janice Stillman, editor of the The Old Farmer’s Almanac Canadian Edition. “But as an added ‘bonus,’ we also expect a number of unusual mini-deep-freezes throughout many parts of the country, which will sneak up and surprise with their intensity.”

The Old Farmer’s Almanac has been predicting the weather for 231 years, with a self-reported accuracy of 80 per cent.

According to the publication, winter will arrive early, with cold temperatures dropping down from the Yukon and northern Alberta to settle in across the Prairies and into southern Ontario and southwest Quebec. Icebox condition should be in place by mid- to late November, worsening as winter tightens its grip.

The Almanac predicts that January temperatures for the Prairie provinces will average seven degrees colder than normal.

While temperatures for the rest of Canada should be around normal, the Almanac warns that several major snowstorms are going to slam Quebec and the Atlantic provinces, with the first hitting before the end of November.

In addition to its weather forecasts, The Old Farmer’s Almanac Canadian Edition, available at www.almanac.com, offers other useful information — with a “pleasant degree of humour” — including:

• Dispatches from family farms: Stories from independent farmers detailing personal, community, and environmental happenings.
• Gardening tips: Perfect perennials and chiles for every palate and gardening trends for the upcoming year. As a sneak peek, a survey result from the Almanac found that over half of young adults would rather go to a gardening centre than a night club.
• Festive food ideas: The Almanac is featuring Ukrainian Christmas recipes this year, alongside winners from their banana recipe contest.
• Practical life advice: Home remedies for hay fever sufferers accompany straightforward methods for organizing keepsakes.