The record-breaking cold expected this weekend might have surprised you, but loyal readers of Farmers' Almanac could argue they saw it coming.

        The 184-year-old publication specializes in making weather forecasts two years in advance and its prediction for this weekend seems on the mark.

        “Very unsettled/wet conditions developing,” states the almanac, whose publishers say they calculate the weather using their own formula that considers sunspots, moon phases and other astronomical and atmospheric signs.

        For Sunday and Monday, the publication calls for “squally” conditions in Ohio and Indiana.

        Because of the two-year lag time the almanac doesn't attempt to predict temperatures, explained Richard Plourde, the almanac's Web site director.

        “Most of our readers believe we are accurate 80 to 85 percent of the time,” Mr. Plourde said.

        More scientific sources, such as Enquirer AccuWeather, forecast record lows in the upper 20s for tonight and Sunday evening into early Monday, with rain and possible snow showers.

        Organizers of the annual Hartzell United Methodist Church charity festival in Blue Ash might be in the market for a copy of the almanac. The festival has been plagued by rain three of the last four years.

        "We look at it as being challenged,” joked Patrick Brown, chairman of the festival, being held today at the church off Applewood Road. “We've become very professional at indoor festivals,” he said in reference to the church's last-minute plans to move activities and games indoors.

        Next year's festival will likely be held in September, Mr. Brown said.

        At the annual Pumpkinfest today in Delhi Township, officials are also rolling with the unseasonably cold weather by moving activities into the greenhouse of Robben Florist and Greenhouse and adding hot chocolate and chili to the event's menu.

        “This weather got us by surprise. We are still doing our hayrides; but if the pumpkin patch is too wet, we'll just ride around it,” said Ron Robben, co-owner of the Pedretti Road nursery, which sponsors the Pumpkinfest today and Sunday.

        There are 10 scheduled outdoor weddings in Cincinnati city parks this weekend, said Jennifer Harten, event coordinator for the Cincinnati Parks Department. But so far, love is winning out: There have been no cancellations.

        “But I'm sure there are a bunch of brides bumming out,” Ms. Harten said.

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