One forecaster predicted on Tuesday that the biggest U. S. snowfalls this winter could come in the Midwest.

Last winter, the mid-Atlantic was buried by repeated heavy snowstorms. But while this winter will provide people in that region snow to shovel, Accuweather. com chief long-range meteorologist Joe Bastardi said there probably will be no repeat of the "snowmaggedon" they endured in the 2009-10 season.

He said, instead, Chicago, Milwaukee and Minneapolis could see snow pile up, predicting the worst of winter's cold and snow will be from the Pacific Northwest into the northern Plains and western Great Lakes. Portland, Ore., and Seattle, which escaped with a mild winter last year, should expect a colder and snowier one this year. He also predicted that the stretch from Fargo, N. D., to Green Bay, Wis., will get above-normal snowfall.

It was also reported that other cities predicted to receive above-normal snowfall include Omaha, Neb., Detroit and Cleveland.

Bastardi foresees severe cold for Alaska and western and central Canada.

Bastardi said, "The Canadian winter will be as harsh as last year's was gentle."

It was further reported that in the East, November and December could see a fast start to winter, only to moderate with a major thaw coming for much of the country in January. The central Rockies to the Northeast will likely see "greater-than-normal swings between winter's coldest and warmest days." (With Inputs from Agencies)