Farmers' Almanac Predicts a Cold, Wet Thanksgiving Holiday

LEWISTON, Maine and SAVANNAH, GA - Farmer's Almanac - America's 191-year-old source for long-range weather forecasts and resourceful living information - predicts cold, wet and snowy weather for much of the country during the Thanksgiving holiday. And, it urges the 65.7 million expected holiday travelers* to pack their organic wool sweaters and insulate their home properly before hitting the road.

"Traveling may be challenging and chilly for many Americans," said Peter Geiger, Editor of the Farmers' Almanac, and co-executive producer of the national public television show, Farmers' Almanac TV.

According to the 2008 Farmers' Almanac, a Thanksgiving cold snap calls for rain mixed with snow in New England; some nasty weather in the Southeast; light snow in the Rockies and Great Plains, possibly clearing by Thanksgiving; snow in several South Central states, scattered showers rain and/or snow in Northwestern states and snow in Nevada, Utah and possibly Northern Arizona.

To combat the cold, Geiger recommends that travelers (as well as those planning to stay home) make sure their homes are well-insulated to avoid leaking precious heat during colder weather. Additional sustainable cold weather tips include:

- Lower the thermostats on your water heater to the lowest comfortable level. (A setting of 120 degrees is about right for most people). Each 10-degree decrease saves five percent on water heating costs!

- Seal up any visible cracks and gaps in your house, install adequate insulation, check that ducts are sealed, and choose energy efficient windows when replacing old ones. A home energy auditor can help to identify poorly insulated areas and evaluate the energy efficiency of your home.

- Keeping your registers or radiators clean can make your home warmer with less energy, and save you money. Dust acts like an insulating blanket, trapping the heat.

Travelers interested in finding more energy savings tips can visit FarmersAlmanac.com. In addition, the Almanac's full long-range Thanksgiving forecast is also available for free on the Web site. Site visitors also can watch free weather, natural cures, gardening and other entertaining video from the popular television show, Farmers' Almanac TV.

The Farmers' Almanac generates its predictions from a top-secret mathematical and astronomical formula that figures in sunspot activity, tidal action, the position of the planet in relation to the Sun, as well as a number of other factors. Faithful readers of the Farmers' Almanac estimate that its annual weather forecast is accurate between 80 and 85 percent of the time.

About the Farmers' Almanac:

The Farmers' Almanac, which features an orange and green cover, has been published every year since 1818. It contains useful and interesting articles as well as long-range weather predictions, gardening advice, recipes and more. Editors Peter Geiger and Sandi Duncan are available for lively and informative interviews, either by phone or in person. Both love to talk about the weather, share useful Almanac trivia and advice, and to offer tips on how to get back to the simple life.

Farmers' Almanac TV, based in Savannah, GA, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Buy The Farm, LLC, which owns the exclusive license for video and electronic media production of the Farmers' Almanac brand. American Public Television distributes the public television show. Farmers' Almanac TV and Farmers' Almanac trademarks are licensed from Almanac Publishing Company and are used by Buy the Farm, LLC with full rights therein.
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*According to published reports, domestic air carriers are expected to fly roughly 27 million passengers worldwide over 12 days beginning Nov. 16, with planes about 90 percent full, according to the Air Transport Association. AAA, meanwhile, expects a record 38.7 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home over the five days beginning Nov. 21.