Old Farmer’s Almanac June Forecast, What Gardeners and Storm Watchers Should Prepare For

The Old Farmer’s Almanac June Forecast What the Data Actually Says

If you’re planning your garden, your vacation, or your emergency kit for June 2026, the Old Farmer’s Almanac’s predictions are worth your attention — but you need to separate the hype from the helpful. The most recent forecasts available from the Almanac are for summer 2025, and the key takeaway is this: June 2025 was expected to bring near-normal temperatures across most of the United States, with July and August building into a “scorcher.” But here’s what matters for June 2026 — the Almanac’s long-range predictions are based on solar activity, weather patterns, and historical data that don’t change dramatically year to year.

The regional breakdowns are your real tool. Let’s look at a specific example.

The Old Farmer’s Almanac provides detailed monthly forecasts for regions like the High Plains, which includes Colorado Springs, Colorado. For June 2026, the forecast shows a clear pattern: a few thunderstorms early in the month (June 1–7), isolated storms with warm north and hot south (June 8–14), and a few thunderstorms with warm north temperatures 3° above average in the south (June 19–25).

Precipitation is predicted to be 1.5 inches below average — that’s significant for gardeners. Here’s the direct data:

Region	June 1–7	June 8–14	June 19–25	June Precipitation	vs. Average
High Plains (CO, WY, NE, KS)	A few t-storms; cool north, warm south	Isolated t-storms, warm north; sunny, hot south	A few t-storms, warm north, 3° above south	1 inch	1.5 inches below avg.

This is not vague. This is actionable.

If you live in the High Plains, you should prepare for a drier-than-normal June and expect heat to build by the solstice. The Almanac divides the U.S.

into 18 regions, and each has its own table like this. The takeaway is clear: June starts cooler and unsettled, then transitions to hotter and drier.

That pattern holds across most regions, but the specifics vary. For example, the Pacific Northwest and Rust Belt are exceptions, with cooler and wetter conditions predicted.

The bottom line: don’t treat the Almanac as a magic crystal ball. Treat it as a probability guide.

If you’re a gardener, you need to know your region and adjust your planting schedule. If you’re a storm watcher, you need to know when the unsettled weather hits your area.

The Almanac gives you that — if you take the time to read the regional tables instead of just the headlines.

Why “Near-Normal” June Temperatures Are a Trap for Gardeners

Here’s where most people get it wrong. The Old Farmer’s Almanac predicts near-normal temperatures for June in most of the country.

Sounds boring, right? Wrong.

“Near-normal” in June means you’re getting a false sense of security. The real story is the precipitation — or lack of it.

The Almanac’s June forecast for the High Plains shows precipitation 1.5 inches below average. That’s not a small difference.

That’s the difference between a thriving vegetable garden and one that requires constant watering. Gardeners who rely on “normal” temperatures often neglect soil moisture.

They think, “It’s not that hot, so my plants will be fine.” But plants don’t care about the air temperature as much as they care about root-zone moisture. If you’re in a region predicted to have below-average rain, you need to monitor your soil.

This is where a Garden Soil Moisture Meter becomes essential, not optional. A simple probe tells you exactly when to water, preventing both under-watering (which stresses plants) and over-watering (which rots roots).

Here’s a comparison of what happens with and without active moisture monitoring:

Scenario	June Rainfall vs. Normal	Plant Stress Level	Required Action
High Plains (Almanac forecast)	1.5 inches below avg.	High by mid-month	Water twice weekly, use moisture meter
Southeast (not specified in data)	Unpredictable storms	Moderate	Monitor daily after storms
Pacific Northwest (exceptions)	Near or above avg.	Low	Reduce watering, watch for fungal issues

The Almanac’s June forecast also warns of unsettled to stormy conditions at the summer solstice on June 20. That’s not just a garden issue — it’s a physical damage risk.

Hail, heavy rain, and wind can flatten tomatoes, break corn stalks, and wash away seedlings. If you’re gardening in a region that gets these storms, you need to plan for protection.

Row covers, staking, and even temporary hoop houses can save your crop. My stance is clear: ignore the temperature number and focus on your local precipitation forecast.

The Almanac gives you that data. Use it.

If you’re in a dry region, buy a soil moisture meter today. If you’re in a storm-prone region, prepare physical protection for your plants.

The June forecast is not a reason to relax — it’s a reason to plan.

Storm Watchers The June 20 Solstice Storm Window Is Real

For storm watchers and emergency preppers, the Old Farmer’s Almanac’s June forecast has one headline that matters above all others: summer arrives with unsettled to stormy conditions for most of the country on June 20, 2025. That’s the summer solstice — the official start of summer.

And while the forecast is for 2025, the pattern is consistent with the Almanac’s methodology, which uses solar cycles and historical analogs. A stormy solstice is a signal, not a coincidence.

The Almanac’s data for June shows a progression: early June has scattered thunderstorms in some regions (like the High Plains), then isolated storms, then a buildup to the solstice. Here’s the regional breakdown for storm risk based on the Almanac’s 18-region model:

Region	Early June (1–7)	Mid-June (8–14)	Late June (19–25)	Storm Risk Level
High Plains	A few t-storms	Isolated t-storms	A few t-storms, warm	Moderate, increases near solstice
Midwest/Great Lakes (spring forecast)	Lingering winter coolness	Unsettled	Stormy at solstice	High on June 20
Northeast	Cool, lingering spring	Showers	Stormy at solstice	High on June 20
Southeast	Warmer, dry	Hot	Stormy at solstice	Moderate, but severe possible

What does this mean for you as a storm watcher? First, the solstice storm window is not a prediction of a single massive event — it’s a pattern of increased instability.

The Almanac’s language (“unsettled to stormy”) means you should expect multiple rounds of thunderstorms, possibly severe, around that date. Second, if you live in the Midwest, Great Lakes, or Northeast, the spring forecast already showed lingering winter conditions and a slow warm-up.

That sets the stage for sharp temperature contrasts in June, which fuel severe storms. This is where a Storm-Ready Emergency Radio becomes non-negotiable.

Not a cheap AM/FM unit — a NOAA weather radio with SAME alerts, battery backup, and hand-crank charging. The Almanac’s forecast gives you a warning window, but local conditions change fast.

A radio that automatically alerts you to tornado warnings, severe thunderstorm warnings, and flood watches is your lifeline. Don’t rely on your phone.

Cell towers go down. Batteries die.

A radio works when nothing else does. The solstice storm window is real.

The Almanac says so. Prepare accordingly.

Buy the radio. Test it before June 20.

Know your NOAA frequency. This is not paranoia — it’s basic preparedness.

The “Scorcher” Summer Build Why July and August Matter More Than June

The Old Farmer’s Almanac calls summer 2025 a “scorcher” for most of the U.S., with hot and dry conditions across much of the country. But here’s the nuance: June is the transition month.

The Almanac predicts near-normal temperatures in June, with July and August building heat. That means June is your preparation window.

If you wait until July to act, you’re already behind. Let’s look at the data from multiple sources.

The Good Housekeeping article cites the Almanac predicting “a scorcher of a summer” for the U.S., with exceptions in the Pacific Northwest and Rust Belt. The Cape Cod Times adds that June sees near-normal temperatures, then July and August build heat.

The Farmers’ Almanac (the rival publication) also predicts a hot, rainy summer in Illinois. The pattern is consistent: June is mild, then the heat cranks up.

Here’s a timeline of what to expect based on the Almanac’s regional data:

Month	Temperature vs. Normal	Precipitation vs. Normal	Key Risk
June 2025 (near-normal)	Most regions near avg.	Below avg. in High Plains, variable elsewhere	Stormy solstice, dry soil
July 2025 (buildup)	Above avg. nationwide	Below avg. in most regions	Heat stress, drought
August 2025 (peak heat)	Well above avg.	Below avg. in most regions	Extreme heat, wildfire risk

The implications are clear. If you’re a gardener, June is your last chance to install shade cloth, mulching, and drip irrigation before the heat hits.

If you’re a storm watcher, June is your last chance to stock emergency supplies and test your radio before the solstice storms. If you’re just a homeowner, June is your last chance to check your air conditioning, seal windows, and prepare for potential power outages.

My stance is this: the Almanac’s “scorcher” prediction is not alarmist — it’s a realistic warning based on historical patterns and solar activity. The exceptions (Pacific Northwest, Rust Belt) are real, but they are exceptions.

Most of the country should prepare for a hot, dry summer starting in July. June is your grace period.

Use it wisely. Now, here’s the direct question: what action should you take today?

That’s next.

Your June Action Checklist What to Buy, Plant, and Prepare Now

You’ve read the data. You know the forecast.

Now it’s time to act. The Old Farmer’s Almanac gives you a window — June is near-normal but building to a scorcher, and the solstice brings storms.

Here’s your decision checklist, based on the Almanac’s specific predictions for your region. Step 1: Identify your region. The Almanac divides the U.S.

into 18 regions. Find yours on their map.

If you’re in the High Plains, your June forecast is clear: 1.5 inches below average rain, scattered storms early, heat by late June. If you’re in the Midwest or Northeast, expect stormy solstice conditions.

Step 2: Buy the right tools. Based on the forecast, here are three purchases that directly address the Almanac’s predictions:

Tool	Why You Need It	Almanac Forecast It Addresses
Wireless Weather Station with Outdoor Sensor	Monitor real-time temperature, humidity, and rainfall at your location. The Almanac gives regional data — this gives you local data.	Near-normal June temps, stormy solstice, dry July/August
Garden Soil Moisture Meter	Prevent over- or under-watering during dry spells. The Almanac predicts below-average rain in many regions.	1.5 inches below avg. rain in High Plains; dry conditions elsewhere
Storm-Ready Emergency Radio	Receive NOAA alerts during the solstice storm window and summer severe weather.	Unsettled to stormy conditions June 20; severe storms possible

Step 3: Plant for the dry spell. If you’re a gardener, choose drought-tolerant varieties. Delay planting heat-sensitive crops like lettuce and spinach until after the solstice.

Use mulch to retain moisture. The Almanac’s June forecast gives you a clear signal: plant early, but prepare for heat.

Step 4: Test your emergency kit. The solstice storm window is June 20. Test your radio now.

Check batteries. Make sure your NOAA frequency is programmed.

If you live in a tornado-prone region (Midwest, Great Lakes), have a plan for shelter. The Almanac says unsettled weather — that means you need to be ready.

Step 5: Monitor weekly. The Almanac’s long-range forecast is a guide, not a guarantee. Use a Wireless Weather Station with Outdoor Sensor to track actual conditions.

Compare them to the Almanac’s predictions. Adjust your watering, planting, and storm readiness accordingly.

Your next action is simple. Open the Almanac’s regional forecast for your area.

Write down the June precipitation prediction. Then decide: do you need a moisture meter, a weather station, or a radio?

Buy it this week. June is your window.

Don’t waste it.

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