What The Old Farmer's Almanac Predicts For Precipitation In Summer 2026

Precipitation, or lack thereof, can massively impact people's plans. Whether it's canceling trips and sporting events due to rain or having to give up on growing crops with high water needs during drought conditions, rainfall can make or break your summer schedule. That's why so many are turning to The Old Farmer's Almanac to check their Summer 2026 Weather Predictions. In addition to providing forecasts about temperature, they also have plenty to say about precipitation across the United States. And on the whole, they expect a hot and dry summer for much of the country, though they note that "rainfall patterns vary widely by region".

The Old Farmer's Almanac has been a beloved source for gardening and farming information since its founding in 1792. And of course, few things are as important for successful plants as good weather. So it's no surprise that the almanac's long-range weather predictions have been essential reading for many. With an accuracy rate that the publication put at about 80%, these forecasts are based on a proprietary formula that includes not just climatology and meteorology but also sunspots and other solar phenomena. While you shouldn't use The Old Farmer's Almanac as the be-all and end-all for your long-term weather expectations, as a study by John Walsh at the University of Illinois found that its precipitation forecasts are only about 51.9% accurate, they still provide an interesting insight into what to expect in the months ahead.

As you may have heard, there is likely to be a strong El Niño event impacting weather this summer and fall, so it is perhaps no surprise that The Old Farmer's Almanac predicts dry conditions in much, though not all, of the Southeastern United States, as well as many other parts of the U.S. Gardeners should prepare for the possibility of water restrictions and keep an eye out for drought tolerant plants they can add to their gardens. This could be the perfect summer to research xeriscaping and find water-wise ways to still have a beautiful landscape.

Not everyone will be dealing with parched conditions, though, according to The Old Farmer's Almanac. They predict a wetter-than-average summer for areas including the lower Great Lakes region and the Heartland area around Missouri and Kansas. They also expect the more northern parts of the Pacific Northwest to get even more than usual of the rainfall that they're famous for. While plentiful rain may sound like a relief compared to the drought conditions much of the Southwestern United States is dealing with, it does also come with challenges. Slug damage to plants tends to be worse during and immediately after rain, so you may need to use strategies like beer traps and diatomaceous earth to help get rid of your slugs. Fungal diseases can also be more common in wet weather, so don't forget to stock up on antifungals for your plants.