Old Farmer’s Almanac predicts colder winter

This year, the 2022 Farmer’s Almanac is predicting a “Season of Shivers” as it refers to the coming winter. The Almanac’s editor, Janice Stillman, says, “This coming winter could well be one of the longest and coldest that we’ve seen in years.” (Source: almanac.com.)

We’re looking for some cheerier news, Janice.

According to the same source, the Old Farmer’s Almanac, which has been in continuous publication since approximately 1791, its long-range weather predictions have proven accurate 80 percent of the time. Not too shabby. Bad news, though, for

Bad news, though, for Texas, including the RGV — we are also in an area of the U.S. predicted to get hit with colder-than-normal air.

For a kid born in the south, I never felt cold weather was so hot. I was never a fan. Granted, as a kid, I never minded it. Snow days, schools closed due to the weather, I could live with that. The teachers didn’t miss me. In fact, most were happy I didn’t show up for school. After I grew into my teen years, scraping ice from the windshield before I could leave the driveway during the cold winters, not so much fun. Cars on icy roads, out of control, skidding toward me, all part of winter driving.

When I finally made the permanent move back to the sunny, warm south in the late ‘70s, I never looked back. Crank up the Jimmy Buffett music and go barefoot on South Padre.

Living in the RGV, when people tell me that they hate hot weather — and there are plenty of them — I tell them they’re living in the wrong part of the country. Hot and heat, that’s what Valley weather is all about. Like it, learn to like it, or find a way to move to colder climes. When it’s five degrees below zero, however, trust me, you’ll miss the heat. Especially when the electricity goes out.

Me, I like hot weather. Sure, when it’s 105 degrees outside with 39% humidity, would I mind a day with a high of 78? Sure; but that’s not how most winters are in the Valley. We get some days in the 70s, low 80s, but we also get a lot of days in the 40s with rain; and those days make me long for summers. Hot, hot, summers. I don’t need a coat. Just shorts, a T-shirt, and shoes without socks. Good to go. I can take the dogs out to do their business at 5 a.m. in shorts, and I’m still not cold. In Texas, the old ad

In Texas, the old adage still applies: if you don’t like the weather, just wait a day or two because it will change. In some cases, just give it an hour if there’s a cold front blowing in from the northwest.