KEENE, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) Listeners of Good Morning with Dan Mitchell on WKBK Radio heard from a familiar local voice Wednesday, Aug. 27, when Joe Bills, associate editor of The Old Farmer’s Almanac, joined the program to talk about the release of the 2026 edition.

Bills, who lives in the Monadnock region and works out of the Almanac’s Dublin offices, shared the publication’s newest long-range forecast for the Northeast. The outlook points to a winter that is expected to be warmer and drier than the 30-year average, with the coldest stretch likely in December and early January before a milder trend takes hold.

He explained how the Almanac’s predictions blend its founder Robert B. Thomas’ centuries-old method of tracking sunspot activity with modern meteorology and climatology. That unique approach, Bills said, has helped the publication remain a trusted seasonal guide for generations.

Beyond weather, the 2026 edition features a wide range of stories, from the history of Mary Pickersgill sewing the Star-Spangled Banner to the rise of agritourism as farmers increasingly host weddings and events to diversify their income. Other highlights include a look back at the storied 1941 baseball season, an exploration of the growing problem of orbital space debris, and advice on living longer, with one takeaway being the importance of simply slowing down and relaxing.

Bills emphasized that the Almanac, now in its 233rd year of continuous publication, remains both rooted in tradition and forward-looking, weaving together history, science, and everyday wisdom. While celebrating the release of the 2026 edition, he noted the team is already hard at work on the 2027 version.

Listen to the full interview: