Here’s what Saskatchewan’s upcoming winter will look like, according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac

A wave of snow and high winds contributed to poor visibility and road conditions in Regina on Nov. 19, 2024. (David Prisciak/CTV News)

Winter is coming, but how bad will it be? According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, not quite as ugly as we’re used to seeing in Saskatchewan.

“Across Canada, above-normal temperatures are expected,” Sarah Perreault, editor for Old Farmer’s Almanac, told CTV News. “That certainly doesn’t mean more mild, it just means more mild than we’re used to.”

Perreault says Saskatchewan residents can expect to see above-normal temperatures and above-normal rainfall, with below-normal snow.

“It goes hand-in-hand. If it’s not as cold as normal, then you’re going to get more rain than snow. You’ll certainly get snow, and the snowiest periods, for those who like the white stuff, will be late-November and early-December.

The Old Farmer’s Almanac predicts the coldest periods in Saskatchewan to be late-November, early-December and early February.

Areas expected to see above-average snow include Atlantic Canada through northern Quebec, the northern-most parts of British Columbia, and southern Yukon.

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The Old Farmer’s Almanac has been offering weather predictions for over 200 years. The question for many is “How does it come up with the numbers?”

“We’re using the same three scientific disciplines we’ve been using since our founder began the Old Farmers Almanac in 1792,” Perreault said.

“Those include solar science, which is the study of sunspots, meteorology, which is the study of atmosphere, and climatology, which is the study of weather trends. Obviously since 1792 we’ve been able to enhance that with modern technology, wrap it all up in a bow, and every year we come out with our forecasts.”

While many people may be hoping for a forecast that includes less snow, Perreault says we can expect to see some white stuff on the day most people actually want to see it – Dec. 25.

“A brown Christmas isn’t right, you want the white stuff, even if it’s just that day.”

Perreault says the Old Farmer’s Almanac typically has an accuracy rate of around 80 per cent.

Last year, it was 92 per cent across Canada.