It’s a real word!

Ommigod I’m sorry (you know who you are) – prognostication *is* a real word!

prog.nos.ti.ca.tion
1. the act of prognosticating. 
2. a forecast or prediction.

prog.nos.ti.cate 
1. To predict according to present indications or signs.

I should’ve known better than to doubt the person who used it in a sentence. They are one of the brainiest people I know. And in fact said brainiest person made mention that mine was one of the few blogs he’s had occasion to want to comment on so that’s encouragement enough for me to leave comments turned on!