'Intense,' 'Stormy' Winter Predicted For MA In Latest Long-Range Forecast

MASSACHUSETTS — An "intense" and "stormy" winter could be in store for Massachusetts, according to a new long-range AccuWeather forecast.

The forecast is calling for big storms to hit the East Coast — especially early in the winter and as part of a late-winter wallop.

AccuWeather said early season storms will likely track from Canada into the Midwest before
pushing toward the mid-Atlantic and New England. Some storms could strengthen into nor'easters. By late winter, the storm track is expected to shift, bringing systems from the Plains and Mississippi Valley into the Appalachians, Midwest and Northeast.

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The forecast calls for higher snowfall totals than last winter for major Northeast cities Philadelphia, New York City and Boston, although seasonal snow totals may still fall below the historical average as storms later in the winter tend to produce a mix of rain along the coast.

AccuWeather long-range experts say heating bills could run high this winter, especially where below historical average temperatures are expected in the Plains and Midwest. Higher utility costs overall will likely offset what could be a warmer winter at times in New England.

Cold will take hold early in December before easing in January, when a brief thaw is likely. With the absence of an Arctic dry air mass, there may be more opportunities for snow. Winter is forecast to return in force by February with frigid air expanding across the central and eastern U.S.

The highest potential for the polar vortex to shift south and unleash some of the coldest air of the season across North America will be in late January or February.

One of the biggest factors that AccuWeather long-range experts consider when creating the U.S. winter forecast is whether there will be a La Niña or El Niño in the Pacific Ocean. These are regular, large-scale climate phenomena that can influence weather patterns across North America, especially during the winter months.

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