Global Warming?

Homeowners fretting over the cost of heating oil may get a break this year from "Ol' Man Winter".

The chief long-range forecaster for AccuWeather, Joe Bastardi, predicted last week that the Big Apple is in for a mild winter like those experienced in 2001 and 2002 with average temperatures of 39.3 degrees this winter- 4 degrees above normal.

Bastardi has also predicted a colder than normal December, followed by milder temperatures from January until March or April, when New Yorkers could see an early spring. He said the effects of La Niña would bring cooler temperatures in the Pacific Ocean and could bring warmer weather to the Northeast.

That's good news for landlords and homeowners who are facing heating oil prices that are expected to skyrocket 7 to 20 percent this winter, compared with 2006 prices.- Liz Goff