After another long, hot Texas summer, this year’s winter season may have some surprises in store.
The Farmers’ Almanac released its 2026-27 winter weather prediction Aug. 6, detailing a winter season of “snow, sleet and surprises.” The annual periodical provides its upcoming weather predictions every August using enhanced traditional calculations, aided by modern forecasting tools.
The Almanac said Texans should expect to see a wet and stormy winter this year, watching for “frequent storm systems, muddy fields and occasional surges of cold air.”
When cold air collides with abundant moisture, storms could bring a mix of sleet, freezing rain or wet snow.
One factor driving this pattern is El Nino, a naturally occurring climate pattern that can alter global weather patterns.
“El Nino is expected to remain an important influence through the heart of the season, favoring wetter-than-normal conditions across much of the southern United States,” the Almanac states.
El Nino develops gradually over several months when sea surface temperatures become warmer than average in the tropical Pacific Ocean. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicts this year’s El Nino will intensify to a “moderate or strong level” as it continues to develop.
El Nino occurs every two to seven years and typically lasts nine to 12 months, according to NOAA.
The Almanac describes Texas’ winter as “wetter than normal,” with an active southern storm track expected to bring frequent storms across the state.
The exact type of precipitation is not possible to predict this early, but depending on temperatures, the Almanac said some storms could produce sleet, freezing rain or snow.
“A slight change in temperature or storm direction could turn a cold rain into an icy mix — or transform a slushy snowfall into a significant winter storm,” the Almanac states.
The Almanac encourages keeping snow shovels, rain boots and ice scrapers on hand as Texans may need all three this winter.