Another cold and wet winter could be on the horizon in central Illinois.

Last year was brutally cold and very wet to start the year and more of the same is being predicted right now. Chris Miller with the National Weather Service in Lincoln says they are about a week away from a long term winter outlook but right now things are showing a warmer start but then a cold and wet January through March.

The last few years have seen late starts to the summer season and then a late start to the winter season. A shift in the seasons is not likely as of right now. Miller says right now they are showing maybe a short spring transitioning to the warm weather of summer.

While it's still a ways away, Miller says they aren't seeing anything to suggest a white Christmas. In fact, he points out, snow is on the ground for Christmas only 30-percent of the time.