Kansas

Was the Old Farmer’s Almanac correct about winter in Kansas?

Published

10 months ago

February 28, 2025

Press Room

Was the Old Farmer’s Almanac correct about winter in Kansas?

Kansas experienced a harsher winter than predicted by the Old Farmer’s Almanac.
The Almanac predicted below-average snowfall, but Topeka has already exceeded its average snowfall for the season.
The heavy snowfall and low temperatures in Kansas this winter contradict the Almanac’s forecast of a “temperate uneventful winter.”

Kansas has seen low temperatures, heavy snowfall, icy streets, school and government closures, and more this winter.

In September, we reported that the Old Farmer’s Almanac predicted a warmer than normal winter throughout the area, “with the coldest months occurring during late January and early and late February for Kansas and the Heartland region.”

So, is it safe to say the Old Farmer’s Almanac warned Kansans of the extreme winter?

How does The Old Farmer’s Almanac make its weather predictions?

Since its first edition in 1792, the Old Farmer’s Almanac compares “solar patterns and historical weather conditions with current solar activity” to make long-term predictions. It’s taken into account “a weak La Nina phase of the ENSO (El Nino/Southern Oscillation), USA Today reported.

“Like all forecasters, we have not yet gained sufficient insight into the mysteries of the universe to predict the weather with total accuracy, though our results are often very close to our traditional claim of 80%,” it says.

Was the Old Farmer’s Almanac accurate about winter in Kansas?

It depends on your point of view whether the almanac is always accurate.

But weather forecasters typically pooh-pooh the almanac’s predictions. A University of Illinois study from 2010, cited by Popular Mechanics in an October 2022 story, found the Old Farmer’s Almanac only about 52% accurate over the years, “which is essentially random chance,” USA Today reported.

This winter, the Old Farmer’s Almanac forecast, in general predicted, “a temperate uneventful winter,” — that’s something Kansan’s might not agree with.

But, the U.S. was hit in January with a major winter storm followed by an Arctic blast of below-average temperatures across the country. Then, a “once-in-a-generation weather event” hit the South and set snowfall records from Texas to Florida.

Topeka is seeing above-average snowfall this cold weather season, as the National Weather Service records showed the 4 inches of snow that fell in late February. That most current snowfall brought the city’s total for the year to 24.6 inches.

The capital city seen its third snowiest day on record in early January with 14 inches of snow. Even higher snowfall, totaling as much as 18 inches, recorded in parts of Pottawatomie, Nemaha, Marshall, Riley and Brown counties.

The Farmer’s Almanac winter predictions for Kansas and the Heartland region included snowfall and precipitation would be below average. With the most snow falling when temperatures are coldest in “late January as well as early and late February.”

Though Kansas did see snowfall through those periods, snow first arrived in early January, despite the almanac’s “late January” prediction. Kansans might also not agree with the Almanac that snowfall was “below average” this season.

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Kansas

Kansas State beats Iowa State for transfer portal FCS breakout DT

Published

4 hours ago

January 6, 2026

Press Room

Kansas State beats Iowa State for transfer portal FCS breakout DT

MANHATTAN — Right when you thought Kansas State football might be done for the day, the Wildcats landed a seventh commitment from the transfer portal on Monday, Jan. 5.

Gardner-Webb defensive tackle De’Arieun Hicks committed to K-State, according to On3’s Pete Nakos. The 6-foot-4, 285-pounder has three years of eligibility and totaled 21 tackles, with 4.5 being for a loss in 2025.

Hicks reportedly had a visit to Iowa State on Monday, after spending Jan. 3 with the Wildcats, and he chose to play football in Manhattan.

Hicks was a standout for the FCS program out of the Big South, playing 373 snaps and making four starts on the Runnin’ Bulldogs’ defensive line. He was the Big South’s sixth-highest graded defensive lineman, according to Pro Football Focus, with the league’s 12th-best pass rush grade.

Hicks totaled 10 pressures, with seven quarterback hurries and a pair of sacks across 12 games.

Out of high school in Richmond, Indiana, Hicks wasn’t given a grade by 247Sports.

Kansas State was in desperate need of defensive linemen from the transfer portal following the departures of Malcolm Alcorn-Crowder and Andy Burburija, the latter of whom reopened his recruitment after initially signing with the Wildcats. The Wildcats also signed Adrian Bekibele, Kingston Hall and Carnell Jackson Jr. during December’s signing period.

Hicks’ size is certainly appealing, giving the Wildcats a solid prospect to develop. Given the Wildcats’ need at the position, Hicks could have an opportunity to get on the field quickly.

Hicks joins Oklahoma State running back Rodney Fields Jr., Texas A&M receiver Izaiah Williams, Illinois corner Kaleb Patterson, Oklahoma State linebacker Jacobi Oliphant, Miami (Ohio) safety Koy Beasley and Missouri offensive lineman Keiton Jones as those who committed to the Wildcats on Monday.

Wyatt D. Wheeler covers Kansas State athletics for the USA TODAY Network and Topeka Capital-Journal. You can follow him on X at @WyattWheeler_, contact him at 417-371-6987 or email him at wwheeler@usatodayco.com

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Kansas

City Hall intruder fatally shot by employee in Lawrence, Kansas, officials say

Published

17 hours ago

January 5, 2026

Press Room

City Hall intruder fatally shot by employee in Lawrence, Kansas, officials say

An intruder was fatally shot by an armed city employee inside Lawrence City Hall in Kansas on Monday morning, officials said.

The 28-year-old man “forced his way into the building then broke through a door” on the fourth floor and into a secured area about 8 a.m., according to a police statement.

This led to an altercation with an armed city employee, Police Chief Rich Lockhart told reporters outside City Hall, about two miles north of the University of Kansas campus.

“During that altercation, the 28-year-old subject was shot and killed by the city employee,” the chief added.

The intruder wasn’t immediately identified, and it wasn’t clear if he was armed.

Authorities didn’t immediately name the city employee or his job. But police did characterize the civil servant as “trained and authorized to carry a firearm.”

The fourth floor is home to the city manager, city attorney and budget manager.

Officials said they did not know why the man went to the fourth floor, and “it’s not someone that’s known to us,” Lockhart said.

City Hall was closed and should reopen Tuesday. A municipal court in the building won’t open again until Thursday.

City Manager Craig Owens said he was grateful no city employees were hurt.

“I want to express my gratitude to the Lawrence, Kansas, Police Department work during the disturbing incident,” he said.

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Kansas

IU football lands Kansas State transfer edge rusher Tobi Osunsanmi

Published

2 days ago

January 4, 2026

Press Room

IU football lands Kansas State transfer edge rusher Tobi Osunsanmi

Indiana’s portal haul continued to grow Sunday as multiple outlets reported the addition of Kansas State edge rusher Tobi Osunsanmi.

Osunsanmi has played in 36 games over the last four years and has 8.5 sacks and 12.5 tackles for loss. Most of that production came over the last two seasons. He has a total of 47 QB pressures during his college career.

In 2025 he played in six games and had 20 tackles, 6.0 tackles for loss and 4.0 sacks. He suffered a season-ending injury in October.

He saw action in all 13 games in 2024 as a reserve defensive end and on special teams, recording 19 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks and a forced fumble over 303 defensive snaps and 31 special teams plays.

In 2023 he saw time in all 13 games as a reserve linebacker, a rush end on passing downs and on special teams. He was tied for team-high honors with five tackles on kickoff coverage.

He played in four games in 2022 and preserved his redshirt.

The 6-foot-3 and 250-pound Osunsanmi has one year of eligibility remaining.

The Wichita, Kan. product (Wichita East H.S.) was regarded as the 232nd-best overall player in the nation for the Class of 2022 by 247Sports.

Osunsanmi will help fill the void left by outgoing edge rushers Mikail Kamara, Kellan Wyatt and Stephen Daley.

More transfer portal information:

For complete coverage of IU football recruiting, GO HERE.

The Daily Hoosier –“Where Indiana fans assemble when they’re not at Assembly”

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