Almanacs Forecast Chilly Thanksgiving Week in Wisconsin
Farmers' Almanac and Old Farmer's Almanac predict cold weather and possible snow showers for the holiday week across the Midwest.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Forecasts
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Will Milwaukee see measurable snow on Thanksgiving Day 2026?
The Farmers' Almanac and the Old Farmer's Almanac forecast a chilly Thanksgiving week in Wisconsin, with possible scattered snow showers or flurries. The Old Farmer's Almanac specifically predicts a chance of rain and snow in the Milwaukee area.
Why it matters
Thanksgiving travel across Wisconsin could see brief slowdowns where snow showers develop, though the Farmers' Almanac said a major storm is not currently indicated. Residents planning holiday trips may want to monitor updated forecasts closer to the date.
Milwaukee has recorded measurable snow on Thanksgiving 28 times, with the highest Thanksgiving snowfall at 3.5 inches recorded in 1893 and 1947. The almanac forecasts are long-range outlooks and do not specify snowfall totals for the holiday week.
The players
Farmers' Almanac
The Farmers' Almanac is a long-running annual publication known for its long-range weather predictions and folk-based forecasting methods.
Old Farmer's Almanac
The Old Farmer's Almanac is a long-established annual reference publication that issues long-range weather forecasts and gardening guidance.
The details
The Farmers' Almanac expects the holiday week to be cold across the Midwest, with potential scattered snow showers or flurries. The Old Farmer's Almanac predicts flurries, snow showers, and colder-than-normal temperatures in the Upper Midwest.
Timeline
Thanksgiving is about 24 days from the article's publication date.
Milwaukee's record earliest snow was on Sept. 23, 1942.
Milwaukee had its snowiest November in 50 years in 2025, with 8.7 inches.
Seasonal Patterns
The forecast follows Milwaukee's 2025 snowiest November in 50 years, which recorded 8.7 inches at Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport. Thanksgiving snow history in the city shows measurable snow on the holiday in 28 past years.
Residents planning Thanksgiving travel in Wisconsin should check updated forecasts closer to the holiday, since almanac predictions are long-range. Allow extra time for possible brief travel slowdowns where snow showers develop.
The takeaway
Long-range almanac forecasts offer a general outlook but are less precise than short-range forecasts, so checking the latest National Weather Service updates closer to Thanksgiving will give more reliable guidance for travel planning.
Further reading
For more on the outlook ahead, see Wisconsin Forecasts for regional weather outlooks.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Journal Sentinel.
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Will Milwaukee see measurable snow on Thanksgiving Day 2026?
