Editor's note: This article was written by a Townsquare Media Northern New England contributor and may contain the individual's views, opinions, or personal experiences.

It's like Punxatawny Phil seeing his shadow in February, an event so steeped in tradition you can't help but wonder did he see it or not.   It doesn't change your life, but it sure is intriguing.

The Farmers' Almanac out of Lewiston, Maine, or The Old Farmer's Almanac from Dublin, New Hampshire, is like that.  Each year after publication, we rush to purchase an almanac to decipher the tradition of the winter weather forecast. What does the Farmers' Almanac weather prediction look like for next year?

Let me tell you.  It's not looking pretty if you live in New England.

Both publications predict light slushy snow for November and cold temps, but no major snowstorms or significant snowfall until mid-January.  Then watch out.

from farmers almanac via facebook
from farmers almanac via Facebook
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December, January, and February also are predicted to bring us bone-chilling cold temperatures, but the bulk of the snow is in January.   That means no "White Christmas" for New Englanders.  But hey, sometimes we have snow for Christmas, and other years we don't.  We roll with it.

Major snowstorms for January and February are typical, but the almanacs predict unseasonably warm temperatures at the end of February, right around school vacation week.

Then for March and April, it will be very, very wet and unsettled.  In fact, that unsettled weather continues through May, with rain heavy at times, with short breaks of seasonable weather.

The Farmers' Almanac reminds us to not believe everything we hear that's been passed down from generations when it comes to weather folklore, too.

farmers almanac via Facebook
farmers almanac via Facebook
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How well does the almanac do each year at predicting the weather?   They're fairly accurate much of the time.  How do they do it?  Don't ask.  It's a secret calculation no one has been able to figure out, and neither almanac is telling.

Bundle up, because winter is around the corner, but let's have a pumpkin latte first.

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