We probably won't be freezing or slogging through as much snow or shivering through as many bitterly cold days as we did last winter, according to some forecasters.

This season is set to be milder overall, but particularly during the early part of the season.But, as always, the weather forecast is pretty much up in the air."We just don't know exactly yet whether or not we're going to see the pattern turn cold and snowy," AccuWeather expert long-range forecaster Paul Pastelok said. "There is an opportunity that (the weather) could change on us as we get into February and early March."Regardless, the Northeast and mid-Atlantic can expect fewer days of subzero temperatures than last year.February of 2015 went down in the record books as the second-coldest February on record for both the region and for eight states individually, including Pennsylvania, New York and all six New England states.Gerry Bell of the National Weather Service says the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's "Climate Prediction Center's latest outlooks call for an increased likelihood of above-average temperatures for the Northeast from now through the winter. The outlook also calls for an increased likelihood of above-average wintertime precipitation for the portions of the Northeast that are closer to the Atlantic Ocean," Bell says.However, AccuWeather reports waves of cool air will move through the Midwest and Northeast this week, with some areas cold enough for the first snow showers of the season by this weekend.Temperatures have averaged 2-5 degrees Fahrenheit above average since early September from Minneapolis to Chicago, Cincinnati, Philadelphia, New York City and Boston.Snow showers are most likely from the Minnesota Arrowhead to northern Michigan, parts of Ontario, western Pennsylvania, western and northern New York state and the mountains of northern New England."The October cold spell will not be long-lived and will generally be limited to a couple of days," Dombek said.Following the building chill into this weekend, another warmup is in store during the first part of next week.The Farmer's Almanac forecasts a colder and snowier winter in the north of the Atlantic Corridor, with near normal temperatures and below normal precipitation in the south end. Late December will be cold, with the coldest temperatures in mid-January. The snowiest periods will be mid to late December, early to mid-January, and late March.As for the rest of the country, AccuWeather says severe weather is expected to grip Southeast and Gulf Coast states."As one of the strongest El Niños in the last 50 to 60 years continues to develop, it's likely that heavy rainfall and severe weather will take aim at the Southeast and Gulf Coast," AccuWeather says.In the Plains, wintry weather will become active early on in the northern Plains, with the potential for a few snowstorms as early as November and December. In the southern Plains, the building El Niño will dictate an active southern storm track, meaning the region could end up with above-normal precipitation.Below-normal precipitation, in the form of both rain and snow, and above-normal temperatures will define the season across the Northwest and northern and eastern Rockies.Wet and snowy conditions will frequent the southwestern United States this winter.El Niño will help to set up a pattern of rain and snow for California, which is still dealing with devastating drought conditions and rampant wildfires.