Farmers’ Almanac Predicts Brutal Winter Ahead for Upstate New York

The Farmers’ Almanac is predicting a season that can best be summed up in three words: chill, snow, repeat. While the forecast technically applies to the entire Northeast, Upstate New Yorkers read these things differently than the rest of the region. We don’t just glance at them, we immediately start calculating how many gallons of fuel oil we’ll need, whether the snowblower will survive another year, and if our back porch roof can withstand another February ice load. This isn’t just a forecast. It’s a lifestyle warning.

Cold Snaps Expected in January and February

According to the Almanac, the first major wallop of Arctic air will hit around mid January, followed by another round in mid-February. For Upstate residents, that doesn’t just mean “wear an extra layer” cold. It means waking up to frost on the inside of your windows, letting the car run for 20 minutes before you even think about sitting in it, and carefully rationing your trips to the mailbox.

Snowstorms on Repeat Across the Region

According to the Farmers' Almanac, the forecast promises frequent snowstorms throughout the season. Higher elevations like the Adirondacks, Tug Hill Plateau, and even parts of the Southern Tier are likely to see near constant accumulation, while valleys may deal with slushy mixes that freeze overnight just to keep things interesting.

READ MORE: Southern Tier Road Named Among Most Scary to Drive in New York

Freeze and Thaw Cycles Could Be the Real Problem

While big snow totals get the headlines, it’s the freeze thaw cycles that really make winter feel endless in Upstate New York. The Almanac’s “chill, snow, repeat” theme suggests frequent temperature swings, which means one day you’ll be shoveling powder, and the next you’ll be skating your way down the driveway wondering when your town last bought road salt.

Some Regions Will Feel Winter Harder Than Others

Not all parts of Upstate will get hit the same way. Those near Lake Ontario should brace for surprise lake effect dumps that appear out of nowhere. Mountain regions like the Adirondacks and Catskills are likely to take the brunt of the deep freezes. Meanwhile, lower elevations may get more of the dreaded snow, rain, sleet trifecta that leads to black ice, soggy gloves, and deep regret.

This Winter Could Feel Like the “Old Days”

If the Almanac holds true, this season may resemble the kind of winters people love to exaggerate about, the ones where your grandparents claim they walked to school through snowdrifts taller than they were. It may mean more lingering snowpack, icicles that could double as medieval weapons, and a late season storm or two just when you thought you were safe.

Get our free mobile app

How Upstate Residents Will Cope (Because We Always Do)

No matter how dramatic the forecast sounds, Upstate New Yorkers will handle it the same way we always do. We’ll complain loudly, joke about moving to Florida, and then dig our way out before sunrise because we still have work. There will be snowball fights, snowmobile runs, power outages, driveway beers, and at least one neighbor who clears the whole street just because they like using their plow.