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KIRKSVILLE, MO -- Predicting the weather is certainly not an easy task.

Forecasts are always changing from day to day and hour by hour. So, is it really possible to predict an upcoming winter season a year in advance?

According to the Farmers' Almanac it is. The Almanac has been around since 1792 thanks to its founder Robert B. Thomas. The forecasts are derived from, get this, a "secret formula". Thomas believed that sunspots on the sun are what influences our climate and weather.

The Farmers' Almanac watches weather trends and events by comparing historical weather conditions along with the solar patterns in a cycle of eleven years. The Almanac winter forecast cover the winter season between the months of November and March.

Chris Harrington who has worked on Macon and Northeast Missouri farms for many years said, "I read the Farmers' Almanac last year and it predicted a big snow storm in February. That proved to be true. We look at the Farmers' Almanac and read it, but for the most part we check the weather everyday."

The Farmers' Almanac 2011-2012 winter season prediction puts the Heartland under average temperatures and very wet conditions. 

The Almanac has been continuously published every year making it the oldest periodical in North America. We will see if it holds true for our upcoming winter, but just make sure you have your snow shovels ready.

Snow and temperature forecasts are dependant on approaching systems and generally can not be forecasted more than a week ahead of time.