(AccuWeather)  A milder-than-normal weather pattern will kick off the season in December across the northern and central Plains states.

But it won’t last for long.

Arctic air is expected to surge into the region at points during the season, although it’s too soon to tell exactly where the coldest conditions will take hold.

AccuWeather Expert Long-Range Forecaster Paul Pastelok predicts near- to below-normal snowfall across the northern Plains, with near- to above-normal totals in the central Plains.

Farther east, in the upper Midwest and Great Lakes, cold air will encourage a number of lake-effect snow events.

Residents there, will want to stock up on shovels, as an above-normal season for snowfall is in the offing.