Another warm winter looks to be on tap.

• Position: Meteorology

A forecast calling for "the heart" of the winter to be unseasonably warm across much of the U.S., with only the Northwest receiving average or above average cold and snow, has been issued by Joe Bastardi, chief long-range forecaster at Accuweather.com, State College, Pa. However, warm weather combined with below average precipitation could be problematic for the drought-stricken southern states. The recent cold spell in the East and Great Lakes area is consistent with the winter forecast which calls for colder seasonable weather at the beginning and end of the winter with warmer temperatures dominating what climatologically is supposed to be the coldest part of the season.

"There will be bouts with major winter events, which are typical even in the warmest of winters. We may see some of our wildest winter weather over the next month and then again in March or April, but energy interests should be aware that this winter will be one where much less than normal energy for heating will be used," according to Bastardi. "Last winter, as we forecast, the warmth of January was followed by the sharp change to bitter cold weather. This winter, the warmth will continue on through February.

"November into December and March and April will be closest to what we consider winter weather, with the chance of cold and snowy conditions, but once we're into the heart of winter, from mid and late December into February, we may see one...