Every fall, Lawrence homeowners pull out the new Farmer’s Almanac like it’s the weather gospel — and for good reason. The 2026 edition (released November 2025) just dropped, and its long-range forecast for Kansas is giving roofers like us a serious case of déjà vu.
Here’s the headline straight from the 2026 Almanac:
“Region 8 (Heartland including Kansas): A cold, stormy winter followed by a violent, wet spring and an active severe-weather period stretching into early summer.”
Translation for Lawrence-area roofs: Buckle up.
The 2026 Kansas Forecast Breakdown (Farmer’s Almanac vs. NOAA Early Signals)
| Period | Farmer’s Almanac Prediction | What It Means for Your Roof |
|---|---|---|
| Dec 2025 – Feb 2026 | Colder than normal, above-average snowfall | Heavy wet snow + ice dams + limb breaks from overloaded oaks |
| March – April 2026 | Very wet, major storm systems every 10–14 days | Peak season for wind-driven rain finding every tiny weakness |
| May – June 2026 | “Frequent severe thunderstorms, especially late May” | Classic Kansas hail + tornado threat window stays open longer |
| Summer 2026 | Hot and humid with pop-up storms | Thermal cracking + rapid algae growth on north slopes |
Early NOAA and AccuWeather long-range models are actually agreeing: 2026 has strong La Niña characteristics, which historically means more storms track straight across Kansas instead of sliding north or south of us.
In plain English: Lawrence is likely staring down another 2021–2022-style season — lots of ice, wind, and baseball-sized hail.
The 5 Roof Killers the Almanac Is Warning About (and How to Stop Them Before Spring)
- Heavy, Wet Snow + Ice Dams (Jan–Feb) The Almanac calls for multiple 8–14 inch snow events. Wet snow sticks to shingles and weighs 3–4 times more than dry powder. Fix now: Upgrade attic insulation to R-49+ and balance ventilation. We’re booking free winter-readiness inspections every day in November and December.
- Limb Breaks from Ice-Loaded Trees Remember February 2021 when half of East Lawrence lost power and roofs got crushed? Same setup. Fix now: Have deadwood removed before Thanksgiving. One 20-inch oak limb can punch through even architectural shingles.
- 60–80 mph Straight-Line Winds (March–April) The Almanac specifically flags “windy and wet” storms. Wind-driven rain finds gaps you never knew existed. Fix now: Replace any missing caulk around flashings and consider Class-4 impact-resistant shingles if you’re due in the next 2–3 years.
- Late-Season Hail (May–early June) The severe window staying open longer means more hail risk right when everyone thinks the season is over. Fix now: If your roof is 12+ years old, get it documented now. Insurance companies move slower every year — having a pre-storm inspection on file is gold.
- Freeze-Thaw Whiplash All Winter The Almanac predicts multiple 40–50° swings in 24 hours. That’s the silent killer we wrote about last month — water seeps in, freezes, expands, repeat. Fix now: Make sure ice & water shield extends at least 6 feet up from the eave (most Lawrence homes built before 2010 only have 3 feet).
Your November 2025 “Beat the 2026 Almanac” Checklist
□ Schedule your free pre-winter roof inspection (we’re doing them 6 days a week until Christmas)
□ Clean or upgrade gutters + install micro-mesh guards if you’re under mature trees
□ Trim any limbs hanging within 10 feet of the roof
□ Check attic insulation depth — if you can see the ceiling joists, you’re way under code
□ Document your current roof condition with dated photos (critical for future claims)
Don’t Wait for the First Ice Storm
The Farmer’s Almanac has been freakishly accurate the last three Kansas winters — 2023’s brutal cold, 2024’s wet spring, 2025’s late hail all showed up exactly where they said they would.
2026 looks like it’s bringing the greatest hits album: ice, wind, hail, and storms that won’t quit until July.
The homeowners who sleep through this winter are the ones who acted in November — not the ones scrambling in March when every roofer in Kansas is booked solid for 10 weeks.
Contact Summit Roofing today for your completely free 2026 storm-readiness inspection. We’ll climb up, show you exactly what the coming Almanac winter is likely to throw at your specific roof, and give you a prioritized plan (and honest pricing) before the rush starts.
Because in Lawrence, believing the Farmer’s Almanac isn’t superstition — it’s just good roofing sense.
Ready to get ahead of the 2026 storms? Call or message us today. Local crews, no games, and we answer our phones on weekends in November because we know Kansas weather doesn’t take holidays.
