AccuWeather Forecasts More Snow Days for Mansfield Students this School Year

It's not even winter yet - in fact fall doesn't begin until September 22 - but Accuweather.com reports that unlike last winter, students (and teachers) can expect more snow days this winter.

Despite the , the winter of 2011-2012 was mild and relatively snowless. 

This year, Mansfield has five snow days built into their school schedule to help.

Based on the Accuweather.com report, school may get out closer to that June 27th date Mansfield saw in 2011, due to the . 

While Accuweather does not release its full winter forecast until October, Accuweather meteorologist Meghan Evans writes, "Following a snow drought during winter 2011-2012, the mid-Atlantic and southern New England will get a snow dump this winter."

Accuweather.com staff writer Samantha Kramer reports:

The presence of El Niño or La Niña - and their strength - is used to project how active the winter season is going to be. AccuWeather.com Long-Range meteorologists are projecting a weak to moderate El Niño by late in the summer.

For kids praying to hear school's out for a snow day, the weaker the El Niño, the better. Weak El Niños have brought snow-packed winters to most major Northeast cities in the past, said AccuWeather.com Expert Senior Meteorologist Jack Boston.

"Historically, both strong La Niñas and weak El Niños have produced higher-than-average snowfall in the Northeastern U.S.," Boston said. In contrast, "weak La Niñas and strong El Niños historically bring lower-than-average snowfall."

To read more on the potential of a snowy winter click here and here.

For insight on what goes into making the decision to call (or not call) a snow day, .