Residents of Maryland and the DC Metro area are already wondering what kind of winter 2025–2026 will bring, and two of the country’s best-known long-range forecasters are offering very different outlooks. The Farmers’ Almanac and the Old Farmer’s Almanac, each using their own traditional forecasting methods, have released predictions that highlight the uncertainty of what lies ahead.
The Farmers’ Almanac is calling this winter a cycle of “Chill, Snow, Repeat,” with the Mid-Atlantic expected to see a mix of cold snaps, wet systems, and occasional snow events. The publication suggests that mountainous parts of western Maryland and the Appalachians could receive more significant snowfall, while areas closer to the coast, including the Washington and Baltimore metro areas, are more likely to see frequent rain or rain-snow mixes. The emphasis is on dramatic swings in temperature, with bursts of winter weather punctuated by sudden thaws.
By contrast, the Old Farmer’s Almanac paints a milder picture for the Mid-Atlantic. Its long-range outlook for Washington, DC forecasts above-normal temperatures overall and below-average snowfall. While snow is not expected to disappear entirely, the Almanac suggests it will be limited to a few periods, most likely around the holiday season and late in the winter. The rest of the season is expected to bring drier conditions and fewer significant storms.
Both almanacs agree that higher elevations in western Maryland are most likely to see the heaviest snow. But they differ in how often winter weather will visit the region’s lower elevations. For residents of DC and central Maryland, the Farmers’ Almanac hints at multiple disruptive storms, while the Old Farmer’s Almanac predicts fewer events and a generally milder winter.
As with all long-range forecasts, these predictions should be taken with caution and should always be viewed as more of an entertaining read than something to base plans on. The almanacs base their outlooks on historical patterns, solar cycles, and other non-model methods, which makes them less precise than short-term meteorological forecasts. Still, the competing outlooks give residents a sense of the possibilities… either a winter of wild swings and messy storms, or a calmer, milder season with only a handful of snow days.
