Snow may be heavier this winter for Northeast

• Above-normal snowfall expected in Northeast, Mid-Atlantic
• But bone-dry Plains, upper Midwest may get less than average
• Severe weather could strike the South

Following a nearly snow-free winter last year, the 50 million Americans who live in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic should see a snowier-than-average winter, according to a forecast released Wednesday by AccuWeather.

"The Northeast and mid-Atlantic will have more snow than they did last year," AccuWeather forecaster Paul Pastelok said.

Cities such as New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington and Charlotte are among those that should receive more snow than usual, he said.

Meanwhile, in the drought-scorched central and northern Plains and upper Midwest, the news isn't good: Below-average snowfall and above-average temperatures are forecast. According to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor, 98% of Wyoming, Colorado, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska and Kansas are enduring drought conditions.

The dryness will extend into the Northwest, adding to drought worries there: "I have big concerns about the Northwest," Pastelok said. "We have already set up the stage here at the start of fall with wildfires and drought conditions.

"With the exception of a break with some rain and snow during October and early November, it will be drier than normal through the winter season and maybe even longer as we head toward spring."

A weak El Niño climate pattern is expected to be one of the major drivers of the USA's weather this winter, AccuWeather meteorologist Mark Paquette says. While earlier forecasts said El Niño (a warming of Pacific Ocean water that affects weather around the world) would be moderately strong, it's now expected to be weak, Paquette said.

One of the hallmarks of an El Niño winter is a stormy weather pattern for the southern tier of the USA, expected this year.

Across the South, the rain will be mostly welcome, but severe weather could be an issue:

"Severe weather is going to be a problem again this winter season," Pastelok said. "I think this year it's going to be early on, late November and December, and more confined to the north-central Gulf Coast states, northern Florida and parts of the Southeast."

Potent storms formed by the clashing of cooler air to the north and milder air farther south will act as the trigger for the severe weather, which could produce tornadoes, high winds and flash flooding.

A snowy winter in the Northeast would be a dramatic switch from last year: During the winter of 2011-12, New York City received only 7.4 inches of snow, far below its typical total of just over 2 feet. Washington shoveled a paltry 2 inches, well below the city's average 14.5 inches, according to the National Weather Service.

For the early part of the winter, the unusually warm Atlantic Ocean water should moderate the cold shots of air blowing in from the west, which also would reduce snowfall, Paquette said. However, later in the winter, as the water cools, there is the potential for big snowstorms in the Northeast.

The best chance for the big snowstorms will be in January and February, he said.