An early outlook for the upcoming winter

Meteorologist Jim Mitchell provided an early indication of what December, January, and February might be like.

"Typically for the Northeast, we do see slightly above-average temperatures over that time frame with a weak to moderate El Nino," Mitchell says.
 

And even if the Buffalo area has another winter with below average snowfall and above average temperatures, Mitchell would expect the area to receive more snow than it did last winter season.

And Mitchell says he hasn't checked the agency's records, which date back to the 1870s, but he's doubtful the region has seen back-to-back years in which Lake Erie didn't freeze over.