The Old Farmer’s Almanac predicts different summer conditions in Michigan, depending on whether you are in the Upper Peninsula or Lower Peninsula.
On April 15, meteorologists at the Old Farmer’s Almanac updated its summer weather forecast for the U.S., predicting hot and rainy conditions for most of the Lower Peninsula, and cool and dry conditions for the entire U.P. and parts of northern Michigan.
“As the U.S. map and regional chart reflect, much of the United States is trending hotter than normal, especially across the southern part and eastern portion of the country,” the Old Farmer’s Almanac said. “However, some areas — including the Upper Midwest and Heartland — are expected to be cooler than normal or to feature more mixed patterns.
“While some regions may begin summer closer to typical early-season conditions, above-normal heat is expected to build as the season progresses. In other words, temperatures are likely to run hotter than average for much of the summer,” the Almanac said.
Here’s the Old Farmer’s Almanac summer forecast map and more on what to expect in Michigan.
What does the Old Farmer’s Almanac forecast for Michigan this summer 2026?
Here are the predicted conditions for Michigan’s summer, according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac:
When does summer start in Michigan?
For the Northern Hemisphere, summer officially starts at 4:24 a.m. ET on Sunday, June 21, according to the almanac.
How accurate are the almanacs?
For centuries, almanacs have provided long-range forecasts for farmers to plan ahead and optimize their yield.
A climavision.com article notes the uncertainty of almanacs should be taken into consideration and shouldn’t be relied on for detailed predictions.
“While the (Old Farmer’s) Almanac claims an 80% accuracy rate and has made notable predictions, studies show it is only 52% accurate, making it unreliable for precise, long-term forecasts compared to modern meteorology,” according to climavision.com.
An article from popularmechanics.com also questions the accuracy of such almanacs.
“The almanacs say they can predict weather with around 80% accuracy, but a University of Illinois study disagreed, saying the Almanac was only about 52% accurate — which is essentially random chance,” popularmechanics.com said.
Contact Sarah Moore @ smoore@lsj.com
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Old Farmer’s Almanac predicts hot, wet summer for much of Michigan
Reporting by Sarah Moore, Lansing State Journal / Lansing State Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
