It's been a scorcher of a summer, and as of this writing, there's plenty more to come.

Many love the summer months with their heat and humidity, while others are already looking forward to a fall cool-down.

How long will NJ, NY, and PA wait for lower temperatures? The Farmer's Almanac has released its predictions.

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What is the Farmer's Almanac?

The Farmer's Almanac has been a staple in many homes since 1818.

It's famous for its long-range weather forecasts, often using historical weather data, astronomy, and other information to look months and months into the future.

Readers also enjoy gardening tips and articles on cooking and health.

There's also a handy calendar for planting and harvesting.

Photo by Zoe Schaeffer on Unsplash

Is the Farmer's Almanac accurate?

It depends on who you ask.

The Farmer's Almanac claims it's accurate 80% of the time.

I have found, especially lately in our area, that the Almanac's predictions have been off. Way off.

However, this doesn't surprise me, as they don't use much scientific data for their forecasts.

I prefer to let meteorologists handle the outlooks. The Almanac is just fun and interesting.

Photo by Artem Sapegin on Unsplash

What is considered the 'first frost?'

According to NOAA, there's a difference between the first frost and the first freeze.

The freeze date is the date of the minimum temperature being 32 degrees Fahrenheit or below. The "frost" date is the date of the minimum temperature being 36 degrees Fahrenheit or below.