Old Farmer’s Almanac Predicts Scorching Summer Ahead

2026 Summer Forecast for Owensboro and Evansville

Yesterday at lunch, we were talking about how quickly 2026 seems to be flying by. I think the fact that we went directly from winter weather to summer weather is one of the main reasons it feels that way.

If you are sweating before lunch, you aren’t crazy. It’s April and we’ve already seen some July temps. We’ve had a few record heat days already this year, so I can’t imagine what this summer is going to be like.

But the Old Farmer’s Almanac claims to have a pretty good idea. They released their 2026 Summer Outlook and according to them, it’s going to be extra spicy outside.

How Accurate is the Old Farmer's Almanac?

Though the actual method for predicting weather is a highly guarded secret, a Penn State article stated that the Farmers’ Almanac website uses a “top secret mathematical and astronomical formula that relies on sunspot activity, tidal action, planetary position, and many other factors” to predict weather sixteen months in advance for seven different U.S. climate zones, though I couldn’t find a direct link to where this quote originally came from.

The 2007 article goes on to say that Penn State meteorologist Paul Knight is skeptical about those long-range forecasts.

“The ability to predict events that far in advance is zero,” says Knight. “There’s no proven skill, there’s no technique that’s agreed upon in science to be able to do that.” It’s pattern-based predictions, and the forecasts are intentionally vague. Since they don’t give specifics, it’s hard to go back and make concrete evaluations.

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Comparing the Winter 2025-2026 Old Farmer's Almanac Predictions to Actual Data

The forecast that was released in November 2025 was vague in some places and accurate in others.

Winter will be colder than normal, with the coldest periods in mid- to late December, early January, late January into early February, and mid-March.

According to the National Weather Service, temperatures averaged slightly below normal by 0.5 to 1 degree. And, um, okay, so when are December - mid March NOT the coldest months of the year? Come on, now.

Precipitation will be below normal, with snowfall near to above normal in the east and below west.

The NWS stated that, "Precipitation was much drier than normal, with the majority of our region experiencing their driest winter on record." So, they got that right.

The snowiest periods will be in late December, early January, and early and late February.

Again, it's not a stretch for the snowiest months of the year to be winter months.

April and May temperatures will be above normal, while precipitation will be above normal in the east and below west. 

This one was spot on. We can't argue with that.

Hotter-Than-Normal Temperatures Across Much of North America in Summer 2026

The Old Farmer's Almanac didn't mince words about the incredibly uncomforable summer we are in for.

In the United States, it’s not just hotter, it’s often drier too, with widespread dry conditions across many regions. Some areas trend wetter, including parts of the Heartland, Gulf Coast, Lower Lakes, southern Intermountain, and much of southern Canada. -

They go to say that the hottest periods will be in early June and through July. I mean, yes, that's usually the case. And also, right in the middle of fair season... great!

That includes right here in Owensboro, Evansville, and across the entire Ohio River Valley where forecasters say we could see one of the hottest, driest summers in years.

They specifically named the Ohio River Valley as one of the places that’s going to be extra dry and extra hot. Neat!

What a Hot and Dry Summer Means for the Tri-State

Higher temps don’t just mean we are going to be uncomfortable, it means things are about to get really tight. Higher electric bills are most certainly on the way, along with distressed crops, and increased drought and fire concerns.

How to Keep Your Electric Bill Down This Summer

If this forecast plays out, a few small changes can make a big difference:

• Change your AC filter regularly. Clean airflow helps your system run more efficiently.
• Block direct sunlight with blackout curtains or blinds.
• Set ceiling fans to spin counter-clockwise so cool air is pushed down.
• Use exhaust fans when showering to pull heat and humidity out.
• Seal up windows and doors to keep cool air inside.
• Run appliances like the washer, dryer, and oven at night when it’s cooler.
• Swap the oven for an air fryer, crockpot, or grill when you can.
• Bump your thermostat up a bit when you’re not home for long stretches.

What About Fall 2026?

The best news is that the Farmer's Almanac predicts that September and October will average cooler and drier than normal.

So, any way you look at it, weather is getting more extreme due to our rapidly changing climate and this summer is going to be a hot one.