The Farmers’ Almanac just dropped its winter forecast, and Colorado skiers might want to sit down

It’s 102 degrees outside and your car’s steering wheel could fry an egg, so naturally it’s time to talk about winter. The Farmers’ Almanac released its 2026-2027 winter forecast this week, and for Colorado, the outlook can be summed up in five words: “Cold, snowy at times, breezy.”

That’s the official label the 210th edition of the Almanac slapped on Colorado’s region, and if it sounds like a description of every single winter in the state’s history, you’re not alone. The Almanac predicts near-normal temperatures for the Centennial State, with fast-moving storms, sudden cold snaps, and brief snowy periods — emphasis on “brief.” Milder breaks may be frequent, which is not exactly the news Colorado’s ski resorts were hoping for after last winter’s abysmal snowpack.

Nationally, the Almanac is calling for a winter of “snow, sleet, and surprises,” driven in part by a strong El Niño pattern. The southern U.S. is expected to get hammered with wetter-than-normal storms, the Northeast is bracing for what the Almanac calls “one of the season’s most complicated winter patterns,” and the northern Plains should expect frequent blasts of cold and snow squalls.

The Almanac claims 80-85% accuracy on its regional outlooks, though independent reviews put the number closer to 50%. The forecast is generated using a “proprietary weather formula” that factors in solar activity, lunar influences and historical patterns — a methodology that has been passed down since the publication’s founding in 1818.

So enjoy the triple-digit heat while it lasts, Colorado. According to a 208-year-old formula involving the moon, the sun and vibes, it’ll be cold, snowy at times and breezy before you know it. Groundbreaking.