As we creep toward the end of fall, many have already begun looking into what winter 2020 will look like. According to the Farmer’s Almanac, the Midwest can expect the weather to be: “Freezing. Frigid. Frosty.”
It is predicted that this winter will be filled with many ups and downs. The “2020 Old Farmer’s Almanac” is calling for frequent snow events, beginning with a few teasers in late November. The Midwest can expect and prepare for big chills, strong storms, heavy rain and sleet, and not to forget, piles of snow. Winter 2020 has been predicted to last until the end of April. CNN has confirmed that two-thirds of the country will face a colder-than-normal winter season.
Aside from what weather sites have predicted, old-timers have gone out to check their persimmon seeds, which can be used to predict the severity of winter weather. When cut into two pieces, the seed will display one of three symbols.
A knife shape will indicate a cold, icy winter, one where wind will cut through you like a knife. A fork shape indicates a mild winter, one most people are used to. A spoon shape stands for a shovel to dig out the snow. Persimmon seeds from this year have shown two of the three symbols: a knife and a spoon. These seeds indicate a rather snowy and severely cold winter, especially in the Midwest.
Along with cutting winds and more snow than average, the Midwest is going to experience a mixture of rain and sleet for most of the winter season. This rain will melt the snow leaving layers of ice. In some states, including Iowa, Nebraska and Michigan, this arctic winter has potential to be delayed until the new year, creating what Fox8 is considering “several false starts to winter.”
The coldest periods in the Midwest will be in early to mid-January, early and mid-February and early March. The snowiest periods will be in early to mid-December, early to mid-January and mid-February. Off and on snow showers are looking to begin on Nov. 5 and end Nov. 21 with mild flurries beginning on Nov. 26 through Nov. 30. Temperatures in late November and early-to-late December are expected to be between eight and 10 degrees colder than the Midwest is used to.
“Be prepared to stay bundled for a while. People should expect winter to linger,” Kendall Trammell from CNN said. “Occasional wet snow and unseasonably chilly conditions will hang on for a ride that you may not be able to get off until late April.”
Students of Northwestern are hesitant to believe the 2020 predictions.
“I feel like we always say this upcoming winter is ‘going to be the worst yet,’ so I guess I’ve forgotten what the normal winters used to be like,” said junior Schuyler Sterk.
“These predictions make me sad because snow makes me sad, but also ice makes me feel scared for people’s safety,” said junior Libby Ven Huizen.
While most students are dreading the winter predictions, one NW student is rather excited. “I really love winter”, said Junior Hephzibah Park. “I know most people would disagree, but I want tons of snow. So, if these predictions are true, then I am very excited.”
