If forecasts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and UW-Madison hold true, your skis, sleds, and tubes may not get much use this winter.

Both are predicting that a strong El Niño pattern will keep temperatures in Wisconsin warmer than average and bring below-average snowfall. While the milder weather could help keep home heating bills down, it could hurt businesses and attractions that rely on winter weather to cover their expenses.

Kewaunee County Promotions and Recreation Director Dave Myers says they have had to rely on its snowmaking equipment a lot in recent years with much of the snowfall not arriving until later in the season. While the money made at Winter Park stays at Winter Park, he hopes Mother Nature plays nice this year.

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Another potential impact of a milder winter may not be felt until spring and summer. Without extremely cold temperatures, more insects, including ticks, wasps and mosquitoes, could survive the winter, potentially leading to larger populations next year.