OAKVILLE, Ont. - Canadians with vivid memories of the teeth-rattling cold last winter can look forward to a reprieve this season.

But in its seasonal forecast, The Weather Network says this does not mean winter is cancelled, only that "Canadians will see fewer bouts of severe cold weather."

Chief meteorologist Chris Scots explains that as El Nino strengthens, it will bring above normal temperatures to southern Canada in the early winter.

But Scott cautions that the unique characteristics of El Nino mean a "potential for more sustained winter conditions" in Central and Eastern Canada in the second half of the season.

The Weather Network says Canada's warmest temperatures relative to normal will be found from B.C. to Northern Ontario, while Southern Ontario to Atlantic Canada should see temperatures average out closer to normal.

Milder temperatures generally mean most storms should bring a variety of precipitation types, resulting in less snowfall compared with last winter.

The forecast says this is especially the case for Atlantic Canada, which will likely see more storms that bring a "messy mix of rain, snow and ice in comparison to last year's historic amounts of snow."