It might be smart to get out the heating blankets a little early this winter, according to AccuWeather.com meteorologists, who are predicting winter could get an early start in the Great Plains, Great Lakes and Northeast as below-normal temperatures are forecasted for the period October through December. The State College, PA-based forecasting agency predicted the potential early start to winter in its latest 30 to 90-day forecast.

For October, AccuWeather.com is calling for the below-normal temperatures to establish themselves from the Rockies eastward to the central and northern Plains, while above-normal temperatures are expected during the month in an area that includes Arizona, California, Nevada and Oregon. In addition, above-normal temperatures should also occur in the Gulf...