If you're tired of the seemingly endless winters spilling into traditional springtime months, central Illinois weather officials have an encouraging message.

Ed Shimon at the National Weather Service in Lincoln says the La Nina weather pattern is setting things up to be a bit warmer this winter and above-average precipitation, mostly after the first of the year.

According to Shimon, when you hear above normal temperatures for December, temperatures in the 40s, perhaps approaching 50 degrees with low temperatures hovering around freezing.

Shimon indicates a La Nina isn't going to eliminate all traditional winter weather, in fact, he points out La Nina patterns bring above-normal ice events. A typical winter will bring maybe five but in a La Nina winter, that number could get beyond that threshold.

The good news - once we get to April the chances for rain and snow decrease significantly. He says we could see a close to normal spring. While the chances of snow and ice decrease, it's still looking to be wet. 

While the traditional severe weather season is behind us, Shimon implores central Illinoisans to be alert for severe weather. Additionally, when those ice events do develop in central Illinois, he implores drivers to be very mindful of the road conditions and watch for black ice.