Last winter was rather frosty along the South Coast, and this past summer was on the mild side. So what will winter be like this year? That seems to be the big question on everyone's mind as we inch closer to the winter season.

According to NOAA meteorologist William Babcock in the Tauton, Mass. office, last year the South Coast saw 43.6 inches of snow, which was about 10 inches above the average snowfall of 33.8 inches. Does that mean we should expect even more snow and chillier temperature this year? Well, that all depends on who you ask.

The editor of The Old Farmer's Almanac, Janice Stillman, said "Winter will bring a frosty bite and next summer will be its mirror opposite, so get ready for a one-two punch." She goes on to tell us to "be prepared−there's plenty in the forecast to cause all sorts of mayhem: blizzards, droughts, and hurricanes!"

The Farmers' Almanac states that this upcoming winter won't be "for the faint of heart," and editor Peter Geiger said in a press release that "While we don't think the winter will be as extreme as last year, we do believe it will be another one for the record books."

US Winter Outlook Temperature
NOAA
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Despite both publications' ominous predictions however, NOAA's Climate Prediction Center just released its 2014-2015 winter forecast, and their outlook is a bit more optimistic. According to NOAA.gov, "the Temperature Outlook favors warmer-than-average temperatures...across the U.S.-Canadian border through New York and New England."

Precipitation levels will also be higher than usual, according to NOAA, and wetter for much of the southern states and the eastern seaboard. So we're likely looking at a winter that is both cold and wet, although not as cold as it could be apparently. Only time will tell, however, so stay tuned to our Storm Center for all the latest weather updates as they develop across the region.

US Winter Outlook Precipitation
NOAA
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