Winter outlooks

Long-range or seasonal weather forecasting is still a rather inexact science. As an example, the Old Farmer's Almanac is calling for a cold winter for much of the country. In stark contrast, the National Weather Service outlook shows above-normal temperatures for the Northwest, most of the Rocky Mountain states, the central and northern Plains and the western Great Lakes area. Below-normal conditions are expected around the Gulf Coast into the mid-Atlantic area. There is only one thing for certain: It will be colder than it is now.