Prepare Yourself For Polar Temperature Swings This Winter In Cleveland, According To The Farmers Almanac
In Cleveland and throughout Northeast Ohio, the “s-word” is dreaded. That’s right… we’re going to have a talk about snow. Around the Great Lakes, snowfall can be pretty intense in the winter months, and Cleveland is no exception. While Lake Erie can freeze over (which can cause the intensity of lake effect snow to ease up), these last few winters have been borderline bizarre… and it’s hard to know what to expect each year as we approach the season again. Fortunately, the Farmers’ Almanac posts some annual predictions that can help us prepare. According to the Farmers’ Almanac, Cleveland should have a bit less snow in the coming months. The temperatures, however? Those are another matter altogether. Let’s take a deep dive:
Winter in Cleveland can be brutal, but things are expected to flip-flop quite a bit throughout the winter of 2021 to 2022.
This information is provided by the Farmers' Almanac, an annual forecast book that has been in publication since 1818. It uses a "mathematical and astronomical formula" to make these predictions, though the exact details are a closely guarded secret. While its prognostication abilities are questionable at best, it's still fun to take a look at. So take these predictions with a grain of salt, and let's start speculating about the season ahead!
The Almanac's extended forecast highlights Ohio as the "icy, flaky" zone, which is understandable. However, it warns that this winter may not bring as much precipitation as we usually expect.
Currently, snow is projected to be "near normal" with month-to-month variations, though it will ultimately be on the lighter side until we approach storms... which we'll discuss in just a moment.
December and January will be colder than usual, but those few weeks will pass by quickly.
January may be a bit stormy, the Almanac warns. Heavy precipitation is projected, with some U.S. regions warned about potential blizzards.
February is projected to bring significantly less precipitation, and things may even warm up... but a "winter whopper" is expected to hit at the end of the month, bringing snow, wind, and rain with it.
At least we're in for a few weeks of peace before the nastiness of winter kicks into full force again!
Speaking of wintertime precipitation, the Almanac warns, "We are raising red flags for potent winter storms for the Great Lakes and the Northeast during the second week of January, the final week of February, and the second week of March." Yikes! Mark your calendar.
See?! I told you we'd get to the storm portion of our conversation. With a few weeks out of the season already expected to be nasty, it's wise to start stocking up on driveway salt, shovels, and anything else you might need to help you fend off frustration during this time.
Temperature-wise, things will likely be fairly average with some likelihood of below-normal temps on select weeks... so winter hiking is still a possibility as long as you bundle up!
Outside of those projected snowy weeks, you should be able to work in some time for a bit of outdoor fun.
As we move into March, however... well, things may not be too springy. "Unseasonably cold" temperatures are predicted near the first day of spring, so you might want to plan to keep your winter coats out for a while.
Hopefully the daffodils and other spring flowers don't mind a lingering frost!
So, according to the Almanac, that's what we're in for. However, longtime locals know that the weather here changes all the time, and it is important to be prepared for whatever Old Man Winter has to throw at you.
Ultimately, the Farmers' Almanac is just a fun book. It's entertaining to see which of its predictions turn out to be accurate, but it's also worth noting that even the weather people on TV (equipped with Doppler radar and expertise) aren't always accurate. It's best to be prepared for the worst when it comes to winter in Cleveland. Keep gloves and an ice scraper in your car, winterize your outdoor spigots, and keep snow boots and a shovel handy in your garage or shed.
This year's fluctuations don't seem too far out of line with the type of surprise snowfall we've come to expect near the Great Lakes...
It's always best to be prepared in Cleveland! And remember, if you don't like the weather... just wait five minutes!
When it comes to winter in Cleveland, locals never quite know what to expect. The good news is that it can’t possibly be worse than the blizzard of ’78. What are your thoughts on these predictions? Feel free to share in the comments!
Nikki is a lifelong Ohioan with a love for literature. She holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Akron and has enjoyed publishing her written work since 2007. She has a love of travel and does so frequently, though she believes that home is where the heart is — she continues to work in and around Cleveland as a digital content specialist to this day, working on everything from commercial scripts and social media posts to grassroots marketing initiatives.
