Farmers’ Almanac warns of hurricanes and summer drought

LEWISTON, Maine – Summer is finally here, and the world-famous Farmers’ Almanac calling for a scorcher this year.

“For the upcoming summer, we warned of hot temperatures and widespread drought conditions, and those predictions are already coming true in many parts of the country,” said Farmers’ Almanac editor Peter Geiger.

Recent reports point to severely dry conditions in locations as widespread as California, Arizona, Florida, Alabama and Minnesota, with crops struggling, grazing fields turning brown, and small ponds and streams drying up. Water levels in Florida’s Lake Okeechobee, the country’s second largest freshwater lake, have fallen to record lows in recent weeks.

But drought conditions aren’t the only weather-related threat on the horizon this summer. Farmers’ Almanac weather forecaster Caleb Weatherbee also predicts a rough hurricane season along the Atlantic seaboard.

“Last summer’s El Niño made for a quiet hurricane season, but those conditions have now passed,” said Geiger.
“Residents of the East and Gulf Coasts should prepare for not only more intense tropical storms, this summer, but also more of them.”

Astronomically speaking, summer officially begins on June 21, which marks the summer solstice. But for much of human history, the beginning of summer has been celebrated three weeks or more before the start of the astronomical season. Throughout the world, a whole host of dates in May have been designated as the unofficial start of summer while days surrounding the solstice were more commonly known as “Midsummer.”

In the United States, Memorial Day, which falls on the fourth Monday in May, has long been held as the unofficial start of summer.

For more information about weather, astronomy, and the best days for planting, fishing and more, pick up a copy of the 2007 Farmers’ Almanac or visit the Web site at www.farmersalmanac.com

About the Farmers’ Almanac:
The Farmers’ Almanac, which features an orange and green cover, has been published every year since 1818. Available at grocery and bookstores nationwide, 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 offer tips on how to “get back to the simple life.” Visit on the Web at www.farmersalmanac.com.