In fact, the Farmer’s Almanac has already released its projections for the winter season. The Chicago area and the broader Great Lakes region will likely see temperatures around normal for most of winter. The Farmer's Almanac said the region could see “cold, snowy periods," and it has predicted both frequent clipper systems and sudden cold snaps. The Farmers Almanac claims accuracy of around 80%, and said that while independent reviews put “actual accuracy somewhat lower, it’s still meaningfully above chance.” A strengthening El Niño pattern in the Pacific Ocean could play a major role in shaping winter weather across the Chicago area.