Upcoming winter predicted to not be as cold as the last

http://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-news/snow-day-school-forecast-winte/36089509

Widespread cancellations and delays were issued across the Midwest and Northeast last year due to hazardous temperatures. In early January of 2014, the entire state of Minnesota experienced conditions unfit for students to be outside in extreme cold and wind. The expansive cold prompted Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton to cancel K-12 public schools statewide.

A similar phenomenon could occur this season in the Northeast and Midwest. The polar vortex, the culprit responsible for several days of below-zero temperatures last year, will slip down into the region from time to time, delivering blasts of arctic air to the Northeast.

According to AccuWeather.com Expert Long-Range Forecaster Paul Pastelok, this year will not bring such persistent cold air. Still, delays and cancellations are possible as school officials maintain safe conditions for students to wait for buses and walk to and from school.

The Midwest will similarly not climb to such an extreme level of cold for the duration of the winter months. In fact, temperature wise, areas such as Duluth, Minnesota, could be 7-9 degrees F warmer than last year's three-month average.