Pete DeMola reports in the Times Union that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s winter outlook forecast predicts a warmer winter for the northeastern United States with a third straight year of a La Niña weather pattern. "The atmospheric and oceanic weather phenomenon typically means drier winters through the southern tier of the nation and wetter, snowier conditions in northern areas." But forecasters said this winter, their are equal chances for below-, near- or above-average precipitation totals locally. Read the full story in the Times Union.