Farmers' Almanac's extended winter forecast predicts freezing rain, storm tracks and severe cold - pass the hot chocolate!

Although the first official day of winter is not even here yet, the Farmers’ Almanac’s extended winter forecast is warning us that it's going to be a freezing season .

Just a few months after the Farmers' Almanac revealed its winter 2022 predictions, the outlet is doubling down on its notes, warning us that it's "time to stock up" on hot chocolate, snow boots and flannel shirts - because, according to the extended winter weather forecast for the winter of 2022-2023 in the United States, the temperatures are going to drop pretty soon.

Overall, there are two things to keep in mind as the seasons change: winter, which technically kicks off on December 21, is coming sooner than last year's and the majority of the country should brace for "an active storm pattern developing hanging around for most of the season." Fun times ahead indeed.

HOW MUCH SNOW WILL FALL IN THE UNITED STATES THIS WINTER 2022/23?

According to the Farmers' Almanac's extended predictions, most of the United States will see a lot of snow this winter. Specifically, an active storm track will dominate the eastern half of the country, from the western Gulf of Mexico to the northeast, across the Virginias and interior sections of both New York State and New England. 

South of the storm track, which would encompass the majority of the Southeast, folks will have to deal with frequent storms, freezing rain and temperatures, sleet and ice. 

People in the North Central states will very likely get to enjoy a white Christmas and a bunch of snow storms throughout the rest of the season as well while the South Central states will see the bulk of it come down in early January. 

On the other side of the spectrum, the Southwest can expect "less than normal" precipitation and the Far West and Pacific Northwest can brace for a normal season.

ARE ANY MAJOR STORMS HEADED TO THE UNITED STATES THIS WINTER 2022/2023?

Given the amount of snow that the Farmers' Almanac predicts, you can rest assured there will be a whole lot of winter storm warnings to go along with it all. 

The outlet specifically calls out a winter storm warning that may take effect the first week of January in the Rockies and across the Plains, during which the snow may reach as far south as Texas and Oklahoma "followed by a sweep of bitterly cold air."

Also on the docket is a warning for January 16-23, when Americans should expect "bouts of heavy rain and snow across the eastern two-thirds of the country followed by what might be one of the coldest outbreaks of arctic air we have seen in several years." 

Believe it or not, experts are noting that temperatures might reach 40 degrees Fahrenheit below zero. Bbbrr.

WHEN WILL IT BE WARM AGAIN IN THE UNITED STATES?

Despite the fact that winter has not officially kicked off yet, many people just can’t wait for the weather to turn warmer once more and have a single question in mind: when will the weather turn hot in the United States?

According to the Farmers' Almanac's extended winter weather forecast, we've got a long way to go. 

"After the vernal equinox, when we should be slipping into spring, expect a lion-like end of March," reads the outlet's official website. "There should be a wide variety of weather conditions, ranging from heavy snows to torrents of rain to gusty thunderstorms across much of the nation."

Which is all to say: it’s about to get very cold, very soon - and it’s not going to get any warmer in the near future. So bundle up, grab your hot chocolate and gear up for a pretty eventful winter!