Much like the kids returning to school, few things signal the changing of seasons like the headlines garnered by the Farmers Almanac’s long-term winter forecast. Local news outlets report on the Almanac’s predictions for winter with as much fervor as the return of pumpkin spice to Starbucks and Dunkin’ Donuts. For the Rockies, this year’s winter is expected to be a “hibernation zone, glacial, snow-filled.” It’s gonna be cold, they say.

Yeah, winter in the Rockies can get a bit nippy. We know this. Why do we need to hear it from a farmer?

What is the Farmer’s Almanac?

The Almanac is the oldest source of consecutively published weather forecasts. The publication uses factors such as sunspots, tidal activity, and planetary positioning combined with mathematical formulas to report their projections. Over the years, the Almanac claims to have an accuracy of 80 percent or more.

Historically, the Almanac’s ample lead time allowed farmers to plan upcoming crops. Hence the Farmer’s in the Farmer’s Almanac. However, not everyone trusts the extended weather report, particularly meteorologists.

“I think we try not to think about them,” says Colorado state climatologist Russ Schumacher in an interview with the Coloradoan. “A lot of times what they do is use general phrases that are true most any year. And there really isn’t any way to test scientifically the accuracy because of vagueness, which is where the jokes and things come in.”

“What does ‘glacial and snow-filled’ for our area mean? Is it that we get a few days of really cold weather and some snow? That happens pretty much every winter.”

Introducing the Carpenter’s Almanac!

Schumacher has a point. The Farmer’s Alamanc does seem a bit like a fortune cookie or horoscope. If they can do it, heck, we can do it. So, here’s your long-term winter forecast, courtesy of the DeckTec Carpenter’s Almanac:

Seasonable, Variable, “Sk-olf”-filled Opportunities

Expect winter in Colorado to look like winter in Colorado; cold, snowy events followed by periods of pleasant weather. Look to ski in the mountains in the AM, followed by approximately 9 to 18 holes in the afternoon. Die-hard Deck Fans can expect several instances of warm drinks on the deck by a fire but will benefit from a little early season maintenance to ensure the wood is protected from dry and wet periods. One thing is certain, DeckTec will be out building and repairing decks most of the season despite cold and snow. Don’t wait until spring if you notice anything our team can help you with.