Kansas

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

Published

11 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 basketball vs WVU final score, highlights: Jayhawks suffer loss

Published

48 minutes ago

January 10, 2026

Press Room

Kansas basketball vs WVU final score, highlights: Jayhawks suffer loss

Kansas basketball’s regular season continued Saturday, Jan. 10, with a Big 12 Conference game on the road against West Virginia, and saw KU lose 86-75.

The No. 21 Jayhawks struggled mightily down the stretch in the second half. The Mountaineers fed off of their home crowd. Had KU won, it would have been the first time WVU lost at home this season.

Here is what happened during this game in Morgantown, West Virginia:

The Jayhawks are running out of time, as the Mountaineers appear to lead comfortably with about four minutes left in regulation. It’s a 22-5 run for WVU right now. Kansas has hit just two of its last 14 shots from the field.

West Virginia is now on a 13-0 run, and leading by five points with about nine and a half minutes remaining in regulation. Kansas hasn’t scored in more than five minutes. KU also has missed its last eight shots from the field.

Kansas hasn’t scored in more than three minutes, and West Virginia has used that drought to go on a 7-0 run. The Mountaineers could also tie the score coming out of this break, as a WVU player scored while getting fouled going into this timeout. It’s important to note that it’s not just Bryson Tiller who’s in foul trouble for Kansas with four fouls, as Flory Bidunga has three fouls.

Darryn Peterson is up to 20 points and six rebounds, as he’s continued to connect on every opportunity from the free-throw line. Foul trouble, though, has started to become a problem. Kansas has a starter in Bryson Tiller who’s up to four fouls, and West Virginia has two starters who are up to three fouls.

Brenen Lorient has thrived on the way to nine points, as West Virginia holds a slim lead with a little less than five minutes left in the first half. The Mountaineers have been able to gain an advantage from behind the arc. KU still hasn’t established long-range shooting as a threat, with WVU putting itself in a position for an upset.

3-point shooting hasn’t played a major role in the game so far, with the Jayhawks not even hitting one yet today. However, KU still holds a slim lead with about 11 and a half minutes remaining before halftime. Darryn Peterson has tried to be that standout talent for Kansas, but the shots haven’t fallen.

Kansas is trailing early, as the Jayhawks have struggled to see Darryn Peterson get going. Bryson Tiller has not lived up to his potential on the defensive end. Look for KU to do more to involve Flory Bidunga.

Pregame

Check out the starting lineups

Kansas coach Bill Self previews game

Kansas basketball vs West Virginia game time

Date: Saturday, Jan. 10
Time: 11 a.m. (CT)
Location: Hope Coliseum in Morgantown, West Virginia

What channel is Kansas basketball vs West Virginia game on today?

Kansas basketball’s game against West Virginia will be broadcast on FOX during the 2025-26 college season. Streaming options include Fubo. It’s a chance for KU to earn another road win this season.

Kansas basketball vs West Virginia betting line

Odds courtesy of FanDuel as of Saturday, Jan. 10

Spread: Kansas by 3.5
O/U: 138.5

Kansas basketball 2025-26 schedule

Here’s a look at Kansas’ last three games:

Dec. 22 (home): Davidson — Kansas won 90-61
Jan. 3 (away): UCF — Kansas lost 81-75
Jan. 6 (home): TCU — Kansas won 104-100

West Virginia basketball 2025-26 schedule

Here’s a look at West Virginia’s last three games:

Dec. 22 (home): Mississippi Valley State — West Virginia won 86-51
Jan. 2 (away): Iowa State — West Virginia lost 80-59
Jan. 6 (home): Cincinnati — West Virginia won 62-60

Kansas basketball vs West Virginia score

Jordan Guskey covers University of Kansas Athletics at The Topeka Capital-Journal. He was the 2022 National Sports Media Association’s sportswriter of the year for the state of Kansas. Contact him at jmguskey@gannett.com or on Twitter at @JordanGuskey.

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Kansas

LET’S TALK | KSHB coming to Northeast Kansas City, Missouri, on Jan. 20

Published

1 day ago

January 9, 2026

Press Room

LET’S TALK | KSHB coming to Northeast Kansas City, Missouri, on Jan. 20

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The KSHB 41 News team will be landing in Northeast Kansas City, Missouri, for our latest Let’s Talk event.

We’ll be hanging out from 5 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 20, at Peachtree Cafeteria, 2128 E. 12th Street, in Kansas City, Missouri, 64127.

Join KSHB 41’s Kevin Holmes, Wes Peery, Alyssa Jackson, Ryan Gamboa and others in person to let us know what we need to learn about the Historic Northeast, its residents, what’s going well and what opportunities are possible.

If you can’t make it in person, send us a question using the form below.

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Kansas

Kansas ag officials take comment on proposed water rules

Published

2 days ago

January 9, 2026

Press Room

Kansas ag officials take comment on proposed water rules

by: Wil Day

Posted: Jan 8, 2026 / 07:19 PM CST

Updated: Jan 8, 2026 / 07:19 PM CST

WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — The Kansas Department of Agriculture held a meeting on Thursday to discuss proposed rules regarding the Kansas Water Appropriation Act.

The Division of Water Resources is proposing new regulations and changes to current regulations under the law.

The division is looking at amending or revoking regulations related to flowmeters tracking water usage.

It is also proposing changes to groundwater usage rules on how far you can move a well from its original location to prevent harming the water rights of other landowners.

Another regulation would create voluntary Water Conservation Areas, where landowners work with the division to establish water conservation plans on their properties.

Some of the concerns raised at Thursday’s meeting dealt with property rights and the transfer of land to new owners. Some expressed concern about the sale of water rights to other landowners in the area.

There is no listed timeline for when the changes could be made.

For more Kansas news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news by downloading our mobile app and signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track 3 Weather app by clicking here. To watch our shows live on our website, click here.

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