LEWISTON – Peter Geiger pretended to be shocked when he learned that his prediction for a soggy spring – based on a top secret 190-year-old formula – differed from the meteorologists at the National Weather Service.

Geiger and his annual publication, the Lewiston-based “Farmers’ Almanac,” grew accustomed to skepticism long ago.

“Our mantra for the winter was ‘Shivery is Not Dead’ and we weren’t far off,” he said, citing late winter’s deep freeze and a one-two punch of snowstorms.

For spring, which begins Tuesday at 8:07 p.m., the Almanac’s mantra has changed: “From Shivery to Showery.”

Geiger predicts a “fair and pleasant” start to the season in the Northeast followed by “showers and gusty winds” on Saturday, beginning a see-saw of fair weather and sometimes “squally” conditions.

Easter egg hunts will likely be moved inside, according to the Almanac’s predictions. However, the sun will dominate the Boston Marathon on April 16th.

The prognosticator cites an accuracy rate estimated at 80 to 85 percent.

The National Weather Service also releases weather forecasts from its national offices that reach out as far as a year.

At the weather office in Gray, meteorologist Tom Hawley said the first day of spring is likely to be cold and windy.

The month of April is forecast to be marked by near normal temperatures and precipitation, he said. The three-month forecast, from April to June, predicts normal temperatures and rain amounts.

However, Geiger takes a “we’ll see” attitude.

The weather in his almanac has been predicted the same way since 1818, when the almanac first was published. It’s other features, including gardening tips and recipes have proved popular, recently sprouting a TV version, Farmers’ Almanac TV on PBS.

Geiger said he uses the forecasts in planning events at his own company, from vacations to picnics. And he’s become a popular resource for folks planning weddings.

Of all the ones he helped schedule, rain has interrupted only one, he said.

“Unfortunately, I can’t promise sun,” he said. “At least I can warn them to get a tent.”