Farmers' Almanac declares North Central region a 'hibernation zone' this winter

It's going to be cold in the US this winter according to the Farmers' Almanac.

The North Central region is being referred to as a "hibernation zone, glacier, snow-filled." That's really bad.

The big lesson for our winter season forecast is that frigid temperatures should flow into many areas nationwide, especially in the North Central region.

The region includes Iowa, Colorado, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming.

"Maybe even in time for a white Christmas, there will be plenty of storms in the region," the editors wrote.

The almanac is usually 80% accurate.

Iowa weather is predicted to be hotter and rainier than normal.

The formula takes into account sunspot activity, tidal activity, planets' positions and a variety of other factors

The editors of the almanac predicted a mild winter in Iowa. In the first two months of the year, Des Moines saw above-normal precipitation and snow.

The shortest day of the year will be on December 21. There are a number of significant weather disturbances on the way in December.

• The first week of January in the Rockies and the Plains could see a lot of snow. As far south as Texas and Oklahoma, the weather is possible.

• There will be rain and snow in the eastern two-thirds of the US from January 16-23. It's going to be followed by one of the lowest temperatures of the year. The temperature is 40 degrees below zero.

There are a few highlights from other regions.

• There could be snow in the South Central states.

• The Southwest is expected to get less-than-normal amounts of precipitation.

Virginia is a reporter for the Register. She can be reached via email. She can follow her on the social networking site.

Farmers' Almanac predicts cold, snowy winter in the north central region.