North Carolina Winter Trends: What the Farmer’s Almanac Says

Last year was fairly mild for those in North Carolina and across the country. So, will the luck continue for the upcoming winter? The Farmer's Almanac has come out with its North Carolina winter predictions for the 2023-2024 winter season.

Before we get to our state, let's look at the winter outlook across the country. The Farmer's Almanac states that cold, winter weather is coming back this season. That does not make me happy. "After a warm winter anomaly last year, traditional cool temperatures and snowy weather conditions will return to the contiguous United States," they state. They also say that the snow and cold will come early, marking December being an exceptionally stormy month. "Our extended weather forecast calls for some blizzard conditions blowing snow into areas over northern New England, the North Central States, and northern and central areas of New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Arkansas," they explain.

The Farmer's Almanac says that the reason for the cold and wet temperatures across America is that an El Niño, which they describe as "an unusually high-water temperature off the Pacific Coast of South America," will start the second half 2023 and go into the winter season. They say that means cold weather should impact the entire country and bring ice, snow, sleet and all the freezing stuff. I'm not a happy camper. I might move to Mexico for the season.

In general, the forecast states that North Carolina and the rest of the Southeast will have colder, wetter weather than normal, much like the rest of the United States. The Farmer's Almanac also predicts snow in the end of November, but mainly in the mountains. Snow will continue in the mountains around Christmastime, but they predict that the rest of the state will get rain. Then, at the end of December, the almanac says to expect a storm along the East Coast that will bring precipitation. January is also expected to bring snow to the mountains and rain to the rest of North Carolina. Find the full study here. Let's forget about the winter and look at these fun things to do at the lake below.

Summer is here, and with it comes the opportunity to enjoy America's beautiful lakes. One of my favorite summer activities is going to a pristine lake. Whether I just hang out on the beach or take a ride in a pontoon, it's always a summer highlight. So, what are some fun things to do at the lake this summer?

Before we get to that, did you know that there's actually a Lakes Appreciation Month? It's true. The North American Lakes Management Society (NALMS) has named July the official Lakes Appreciation Month. The designation is to "focus attention on the value of lakes and reservoirs to society and the threats they face." NALMS also states that their mission is to "forge partnerships among citizens, scientists, and professionals to foster the management and protection of lakes and reservoirs...for today and tomorrow."

One fun fact about lakes is that the lowest lake in the world is the Dead Sea, on the edge of Israel and Jordan. The surface level is 418 m below sea level. That's incredible. Also, the Great Lakes, which are shared between the U.S. and Canada, contain roughly 21% of the world's freshwater supply.

So, what are some engaging activities that you can do on the lake this year? Read on for a list of 10 fun things to do on the lake this summer.

I grew up a swimmer, but some lakes are just too cold for my taste. That said, many people love a refreshing dip into crisp, cold water at their local lake. Just check temperatures before you jump in, because if it's too early in the season, those temperatures could be dangerously cold.

Water often attracts special wildlife that you won't find anywhere else. That makes camping near a lake a very special experience and different from the typical campground. When you're camping, make sure you check out the nature that blossoms around the lakes and wetlands, too.

When I was a little kid, I wanted to go fishing. My dad was not a fisherman by any means and was pretty clueless about it. So, he had a friend of his take us fishing, and it was so fun, even though I didn't catch anything. That said, fishing is a great summer activity on the lake.

If you're looking for an activity to help keep you in shape, paddleboarding, kayaking and canoeing are all great exercise. All of those activities are harder than they look, too, so they can be challenging. But, in the end, you'll have a good time and get in a real workout. Many lakes have places were you can rent a paddleboat, kayak or canoe, too.

One of my cousins absolutely loves jet skiing. It's always fun to hear him talk about the experience. I'm not much of a water sports enthusiast, but I can appreciate those who do partake. You don't even have to have your own boat or jet skis, as they are often available for rent nearby.

It's always a charming activity to have a picnic by the lake. Invite some friends or family over and bring some delicious food to enjoy while looking at the water. Oh, and make sure to have ice cream. That's a must.

Hiking near a lake can be extra lovely, as the water can offer glorious scenery to really make your hike memorable. As aforementioned, lakes often attract nature that you don't find anywhere else, so hiking around the water can be a unique experience.

Parties by the lake are always fun. So, get out a grill and invite a bunch of friends down to the beach to enjoy a day or night of partying by the water. But, don't get wasted, because drinking and swimming can be a deadly combination.

Here's my top choice, even though you'll likely find me doing it in the shade: sunbathing. If the water is too cold of you're just not up to more challenging activities, you can get some sun and lay on the beach. But, remember the sunscreen.

Lakeside games are definitely a thing, and there are many quirky games that you can play by the lake. A few enjoyable lake games include water balloon fights, bean bag tosses, horseshoes and more. Pick a game and dig in.