LAKE IN THE HILLS – Dan Martin, owner of Approved Comfort Heating & Air Conditioning in Lake in the Hills, is hoping for a long cold, winter.

"It's good for business," he said. "Last winter was the worst for business in years. It was a good summer, though."

Martin may get his wish. According to the Farmers Almanac, "We predict that real winter weather will return to areas from the Great Lakes into the Northeast. Most eastern states – as far south as the Gulf Coast – will see snowier than normal conditions and cooler temperatures."