Government forecasters aren't saying get out the tanning oil and put away the skis, but they are predicting a warmer, drier winter in parts of the country.

Meteorologists at the Climate Prediction Center expect mild temperatures in most of the country with drier-than-normal conditions in the Southwest and Southeast. That's disappointing news, considering these regions already are struggling with drought conditions.

The northern Plains and Northwest are expected to have near-normal temperatures from December through February, with the rest of the country staying warmer than usual.

Wetter-than-normal weather is forecast for the Ohio and Tennessee valleys and the Pacific Northwest.