Early indicators of an extreme winter

SEEKONK, MASS. (WPRI) - The first half of 2012 was the hottest on record, and early indicators show the coming winter may be just as extreme.

Accuweather, one of  largest forecasting companies in the country is already predicting above average snowfall for the mid-atlantic and much of the northeast.

Eyewitness News caught up customers at Eat's restaurant in Seekonk, who aren't looking forward to the news.

"I hope they're wrong.  I hope we have a winter like last year.  That would be great," says one customer.

George Mihailides owns Eats restaurant.  He says that while snow removers love the white stuff, he doesn't.

"People are cautious, the older crowd doesn't want to come out of the house.  You have to worry about liability, the parking lot, the kids, the elderly.  It's a big factor," said Mihailides.

The return of El Nino by this fall is one of the reasons for the snowy prediction.

El Nino brings warmer waters to the Central Pacific Ocean, which can mean a more active storm track for the Northeast.

As more seasonal outlooks come out over the next several months, the weather team will be updating you over on Tony's weather blog.