It was cold this morning.

That likely means many people are discussing the cold and the coming winter. And one of the thing I keep hearing again and again about this winter is about how bad it will be.  Last year’s multiple “snow events” and last frigid temps?  Nothing compared to what’s coming.

Am I the only one who is wondering “who are these people and why are they saying this?”

Well, after a grueling moment of Google searching, I seem to have uncovered an answer.  I should have known. From our friends at The Farmer’s Almanac…

According to the 2015 edition of the Farmers’ Almanac, the winter of 2014–15 will see below-normal temperatures for about three-quarters of the nation. A large zone of very cold temperatures will be found from east of the Continental Divide east to the Appalachians…The coldest outbreak of the season will come during the final week of January into the beginning of February, when frigid arctic air drops temperatures across the Northern Plains to perhaps 40 below zero.

…Over the eastern third of the country, we are expecting an active storm track with a number of storms delivering copious amounts of snow and rain. Near-normal precipitation is expected for the Pacific Northwest, the Southwest States, and Northern Plains, while below-normal precipitation values are forecast for the Southwest States as well as the Upper Midwest and the Great Lakes. The Central and Southern Plains are expected to receive above-average precipitation.

Even though I now know this is coming from a well-known source, I’m not sure what to do with the info.  Buy driveway salt?  A shovel?  Canned food items?  A warmer winter coat? Throw a Winter Preparedness Festival and ask Intown Ace to sponsor?

But seriously, perhaps one way to utilize this info is to take some time the next few days and go through your gentry used coats and donate them to someone who might need one this winter.  It looks like Brooks Brothers and a realty company in Virginia Highlands are accepting donations for “One Warm Coat” right now.  Comment if you know of other local options. Also, if any local non-profit or business wants to join in a become a donation drop off location, get everything set up I’m happy to provide the free publicity.

Map courtesy of Farmer’s Almanac