Accuracy of Old Farmer's Almanac

STORMTRACKER WEATHER LAB - The Old Farmer's Almanac is a favorite topic of discussion among many around this time every year, as readers begin turning to the new edition.

The 2010 edition has been on store shelves for a few months now, but just how accurate and sensible are the forecasts published in the familiar little yellow book?

According to the 2010 Farmer's Almanac, the 2009-10 winter will see more days of shivery condition. The publication is forecasting temperatures below normal, and according to the almanac, the coldest temperatures in the nation will be felt right here in Ohio and Michigan.

"They have a different forecast than us, but the science behind it is a mystery to me," said Gary Garnet of the National Weather Service Cleveland office.

Garnet is not real familiar with how the staff of the Old Farmer's Almanac publishes their forecasts, but he can't deny the following this little book has.

"There are people who swear by the almanac," he said.

The almanac's forecast does not only differ with the National Weather Service regarding temperatures this winter season. Both the National Weather Service and the weather almanac are forecasting drier than normal conditions for this winter.

"According to our forecast, it's going to be warmer than normal and drier than normal winter season," Garnet said.

So which forecast should you go with?

"Here at the National Weather Service we use science and computer models to put together our forecast," Garnet added.

In terms of weather forecasting, the almanac boasts an incredible 80-percent accuracy rating, according to its editor. It might have been a little off last year.

For instance, the Old Farmer's Almanac predicted that 2008 would be the hottest year in a century, which it was not. Instead, 2008 came in at about 10th place overall.