Rhode Island Could Be In For A Warmer-Than-Average Winter: NOAA

Rhode Islanders may not see a particularly white winter this year. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Climate Prediction Center released its annual winter outlook, and it appears we're in for a warmer-than-average season.

According to the agency's forecast, Rhode Island has a 40 to 50 percent chance of seeing warmer temperatures this winter.

The warmer trend is likely for much of the U.S., with the highest chance of warmer weather in Hawaii and Alaska. Nowhere is expected to see colder weather than usual, the agency said.

"While the El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) climate pattern often influences the winter, neutral conditions are in place this year and expected to persist into the spring," NOAA said.

In addition to warmer temperatures, there's also a slight possibility for wetter-than average weather. The national prediction shows a large swath of wetter weather across much of the northern U.S. Rhode Island isn't currently covered in the predicted area.