What the Old Farmer’s Almanac Says About Fall 2026 Weather

Are you already dreaming about cozy sweater weather? You might be in luck — but it depends on where you live! The Old Farmer’s Almanac has shared its yearly fall forecast, giving us an early peek at what September and October may look like across the United States.

What is The Old Farmer’s Almanac?
It’s a famous publication best known for making long-range weather guesses for entire seasons — kind of like a weather crystal ball for months ahead!

What Is the Big Picture for Fall 2026?

The Almanac says this fall will be a season of contrasts (that means different places will feel very different).

• Most of the middle of the country will be warmer than usual.
• The East Coast and Pacific Coast will be cooler than usual.
• A lot of the U.S. will be drier than normal.
• But some spots will actually be wetter than normal.

U.S. Fall 2026 Weather Predictions

According to the Almanac — which says it is right about 80% of the time — here’s the simple version:

• Warmer-than-average fall: Northern Plains, Heartland, and Deep South (especially in September and October).
• Cooler-than-average fall: Most of the eastern U.S. and the Pacific Coast.
• Drier-than-normal: Most of the country.
• Wetter-than-normal exceptions: West Coast, central and northern Rockies, parts of Texas, southern Florida, and parts of the Northeast.

Important Point
The Almanac claims an 80% accuracy rating for its long-range forecasts — so it’s usually pretty close, but not perfect!

Regional Predictions

Here is the easy, region-by-region breakdown:

• Northeast: Cooler and wetter than average.
• Atlantic Corridor: Cooler and drier; about 1 degree below average.
• Southeast: Cooler than average and drier, especially in the south.
• Florida: Cooler and drier overall; southern Florida a bit wetter.
• Midwest: Upper Midwest cool in September, warmer in October; Heartland dry September, wetter October.
• Texas and Oklahoma: North cooler and much wetter; south Texas warm with slightly more rain.
• High Plains: Warmer and drier all season.
• Intermountain West: North cooler, south warmer; a bit more rain overall.
• Desert Southwest: Warm September, slightly cooler October; dry through fall.
• Pacific Northwest: One of the wettest areas; cooler with extra rain in September.
• Pacific Southwest: Near-average September, cooler October; rain varies by spot.
• Alaska: Cooler north, slightly warmer south; below-average rain.
• Hawaii: Cooler and wetter in eastern islands; possible tropical storm mid-September.

Summary

To sum it all up: Fall 2026 is expected to be a mixed bag. The center of the U.S. gets warm and dry, while coasts lean cool. Most places are dry, but the West Coast, Rockies, parts of Texas, southern Florida, and Northeast may see more rain. The Almanac is usually right about 80% of the time, so it’s a helpful heads-up for planning your sweater days!

FAQ

1. What is The Old Farmer’s Almanac?
It’s a well-known book and website that predicts weather months ahead using long-range forecasting.

2. How accurate is the fall forecast?
The Almanac says its forecasts are about 80% accurate.

3. Will it be cold everywhere in fall 2026?
No! Only the East and Pacific Coasts are expected to be cooler. The middle of the country will be warmer.

4. Where will it rain the most?
The Pacific Northwest looks wettest, with the West Coast, Rockies, parts of Texas, southern Florida, and Northeast also wetter than normal.