Unfortunately, if you were hoping for a calm and gentle transition into winter, the forecast suggests otherwise. From the beginning of the month to Dec. 11, the Almanac predicts frequent rain and snow showers, which will eventually shift into longer snowy periods as temperatures plummet. Between Dec. 12 and 15, we'll catch a small break from the precipitation but not the icy temperatures. The last part of the month, from Dec. 22 to 31, will bring snowy periods, followed by a brief transition to milder temperatures. However, that won't last very long, as the long-range forecast predicts another plunge into icy temperatures to close out the year with a bang.