THE 2009 FARMER'S ALMANAC IS OUT! AN INTERVIEW WITH EDITOR PETER GEIGER

It's here!  The first of two awaited publications is out!  Each year, we look forward to the Farmer's Almanac and the Old Farmer's Almanac - two different publications, the former from Maine and the latter from New Hampshire.

Peter Geiger is the editor of the Lewiston, Maine, based Farmer's Almanac, and I had the pleasure of sitting down with him both on-air and off-air in our NECN studios this morning.  There are a number of perspectives with which one can view the Farmer's Almanac, ranging from a strictly scientific and meteorological perspective to one of pure entertainment.  In the end, it's both science and entertainment that come together in the Almanac, and Peter and I had a chance to touch upon both aspects in our interview.  See the video here, then, together we can analyze the forecast for a "numbingly cold winter" for the Northeast, and a colder than normal winter for two-thirds of the nation.

Among the articles in this year's Farmer's Almanac that seem fun and interesting:  Seven Survivor Lessons That Can Help in Any Situation, New Year's Traditions That Could Bring You Good Luck, Love and Fortune, Worst Wedding Weather Contest Winners, Household Mysteries Solved (like where your socks go when they disappear in the wash), Natural Cures and Preventions, and Guess Who's Coming for Dinner? (an article about wildlife visitors).

What about the weather forecast the Farmer's Almanac presents?  Certainly the forecast has garnered plenty of attention this year, as it does every year.  This year, though, there's additional concern and focus on a winter forecast owing to the high fuel and energy prices.  In fact, the Farmer's Almanac's press release announcing the new edition is titled "2009 Farmer's Almanac warns winter weather could add to economic woes," and goes on to state, "Editor Peter Geiger says the combination of skyrocketing prices for home heating fuel and the bone-chilling cold predicted for the coming winter could be 'catastrophic.'"  Some of you will wonder why I didn't question Peter more on the exact science behind this forecast, especially if it could have such catastrophic consequences.  Keep in mind that Peter does not personally make these forecasts, rather, "Caleb Weatherbee" is the pen name of the meteorologist hired to make a forecast...and, of course, the age-old methods of calculations based on solar inclination and all of the other factors Peter mentioned in his interview you just viewed in the video above are figured into the mix, as well.

Last year, I posted on the forecast from the Farmer's Almanac for colder than normal temperatures for the Northeast, and examined how difficult - statistically speaking - it would actually be to verify a "colder than normal" winter.  The snowy forecast verified for much of New England, but after a cold December to start the season, sure enough the milder air came on enough to bump January and February mean temperatures high enough to not only negate, but entirely offset the cold start and leave us with a winter season that averaged a couple of degrees above normal as a New England average.  Peter and I discussed this point off-air, and the fact that, statistically speaking, it is very difficult to verify a below normal seasonal forecast.  As discussed in last year's post, the Climate Prediction Center - the branch of the National Weather Service charged with producing long-range forecasts - doesn't forecast any below normal seasons at all anymore, after realizing that they were literally never verifying due to the gradual warming of the North American climate.  Remember that "normal" is defined as a 30 year mean, and note the map included here of the Climate Prediction Center forecast for the upcoming winter.  There is at least some correlation that a lack of 90 degree days in the summer can bring a relatively mild winter, and the CPC's assessment of the seasonal setup seems to lend some credence to such an assessment.  So, while it's certainly not impossible that this winter will be numbingly cold with below normal temperature deviations, the statistics are not on the side of such a prediction, which is likely why the National Weather Service has such a drastically different prediction.  This means that folks charged with decision making on energy and fuel use and consumption this winter may want to pay some attention to the Farmer's Almanac, but understand that "Caleb Weatherbee" is but one man, and you may not want to put all of your eggs in the basket of a colder than normal winter!

In the interview, we didn't have time to delve into the summer forecast, but it's worth sharing!  The Farmer's Almanac forecast for the Northeast looks similar to this year - I'm sure many folks are hoping that doesn't verify...this summer was wet enough for most of us!  The CPC forecast favors warmer than normal temperatures, with an equal chance of above or below normal precipitation.

Matt

Comments

[allen]

This is my first time to your website, I send you the very distinctive, deserve me to treasure. Your article I learned a lot of things, thank you.
Good day!!

[Christian Louboutin Outlet]

She is an odd woman! But I never allow myself to speak ill of her, on Frank's account: for I do believe her to be very fond of him.

[ray ban outlet]

If you think he will come, I shall think so too; for you know Knsrombe.''Yes—I have some right to that knowledge; though I have never been at the place in my life.

[burberry outlet]

I am sorry there should be any thing like doubt in the case/ replied Emma; 'but am disposed to side with you, Mr. Weston.

[UritteWef]

отменный веб сайт http://fs-s.ru/ - lineage 2 interlude сервера пвп, Interlude, пвп сервер lineage, lineage 2 interlude pvp и многое другое.

[moncler jacken]

That's how it happened, and he served you quite right—tit for tat, my boy, that's all. So now I will trouble you to inclose a ten-pound note to Will Lane, regretting the accident, and hoping he is in a fair way of recovery.

[designed Candice Olson lighting]

To start earning money with your blog, initially use Google Adsense but gradually as your traffic increases"

[green white card training]

I am very interested in your article, I think your articles are so interesting that I need more information, go is berkaya and I will always support you. I say many thanks to you. Just wanna say thank you for the information that you have been shared on your site. well it is more better 

[Options Trading For Dummies]

This post is genius and can be applied to almost every other business' marketing plan. Thanks for the tips.

[moncler outlet]

for when these gentry are closely pressed, as to the substance of their knowledge, they will talk of Henry the Fourth of France being contemporary with Henry the Fowler of Germany

[coach online outlet]

Wherefore let us take of the branches of these which I have planted in the nethermost parts of my vineyard, and let us graft them into the tree from whence

[Christian Louboutin Outlet]

cast them into the fire, that they shall not cumber the ground of my vineyard, for I have done all; what could I have done more for my vineyard?

[beats by dr dre]

I do, that the tree may not perish, that perhaps I may preserve unto myself the roots thereof for mine own purpose.

[Christian Louboutin Outlet]

both old and young, the first and the last, and the last and the first, that all may be nourished once again for the last time.

[beats by dr dre]

I may have joy again in the fruit of my vineyard; and perhaps that I may rejoice exceedingly, that I have preserved the roots and the branches of the first fruit.

[Replica handbags]

Thou fool, thadt shall say a bible, we have got a bible, and we need no more bible.

[Home Security]

I enjoyed your blog. It’s easy to read, the content is good, and you’re an educated writer unlike most of the blogs I come across when searching on this topic.

[Zosi cum sa faci bani pe net]

Farmer's Almanac was my favourite in those days. i read it with pleasure!

[red sole]

I like ANMJ on FB & just subscribed to the email feed! :)

[moncler coats]

Thanks for posting. Great article. I will twit this to all my followers, thank you.

[Christian Louboutin Outlet]

And now, my beloved brethren, after ye have gotten into this straight and narrow path, I would ask, if all is done?

[burberry outlet]

Holy Ghost, which witnesses of the Father and the Son, unto the fulfilling of the promise which he hath made, that if ye entered in by the way, ye should receive.

[tory burch outlet]

Know ye not that the testimony of two nations is a witness unto you that I am God, that I remember one nation like unto another?

[Christian Louboutin Outlet]

I will return all these things upon your own heads; for I the Lord hath not forgotten my people. Thou fool, that shall say a bible, we have got a bible, and we need no more bible.

[burberry outlet]

O fools, they shall have a bible; and it shall proceed forth from the Jews, mine ancient covenant people. And what thank they the Jews for the bible which they receive from them? Yea, what do the Gentiles mean?