How accurate are long-term weather forecasts from farmers’ calendars?
Both The Farmer’s Almanac and The Old Farmer’s Almanac use “secret” formulas for making long-range weather forecasts. Here’s what the experts think.
Although Tropical Storm Debby has passed, southeastern North Carolina is still in hurricane season, which runs through November 30. As summer gives way to fall, Fayetteville residents may be wondering what to expect in terms of precipitation, temperatures, equinoxes and other seasonal changes.
Founded in 1792, the Old Farmer’s Almanac has recorded and published astronomical events such as tides, weather and more for 232 years, making it the oldest continuously published resource in the country, according to its official website, almanac.com. Here’s a look at the forecasts for fall in the Fayetteville area.
What is the autumn equinox?
The beginning of autumn is marked by the autumnal equinox, which occurs on Sunday, September 22nd, at 8:43 a.m.
During the equinox, the sun crosses the celestial equator, an imaginary extension of the Earth’s equator into space. This event occurs exactly when the center of the sun is on this line, simultaneously across the entire Earth.
When will it get cooler in Fayetteville?
Below-average temperatures are expected in Fayetteville this fall, with the season set to be noticeably cool and stormy across the continental U.S., according to the Farmer’s Almanac’s fall 2024 forecast.
AccuWeather’s monthly forecast for September in Fayetteville predicts highs of 80 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit, hovering around 86 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the month, with lows dropping to around 70 degrees Fahrenheit toward the end of the month as the transition into October begins.
How much rain will there be in Fayetteville this fall?
The almanac predicts near-average rainfall for North Carolina, with an annual total of 45.42 inches, according to U.S. Climate Data in Fayetteville.
What is The Old Farmer’s Almanac?
The Old Farmer’s Almanac is a publication that contains weather forecasts, planting tables, astronomical data, recipes, and articles. An almanac is generally an annual calendar that contains important dates and statistical information.
How does the Old Farmer’s Almanac make predictions?
The Old Farmer’s Almanac makes its weather forecasts two years in advance, relying on factors such as sunspot activity, tidal patterns and planetary positions. Tidal patterns refer to the rise and fall of sea levels caused by the gravitational pull of the sun and moon, independent of wind or other influences. Sunspot activity varies in an 11-year cycle, according to NASA, with periods of highest activity called solar maximum and quieter periods called solar minimum.
What does equinox mean?
The term “equinox” comes from the Latin words aequus, meaning equal, and nox, meaning night, and refers to the two points in the year, usually around September 22 and March 20, when the sun crosses the celestial equator, resulting in days and nights of almost equal length.
How accurate is The Old Farmer’s Almanac?
The Old Farmer’s Almanac predicts the weather correctly about 80% of the time.
Reporter Lizmary Evans covers growth and development for The Fayetteville Observer. Reach her at [email protected]
