(Darren Makowichuk/QMI AGENCY)

Last year marked one of the mildest winters on record in Canada, but this year's weather is expected to be more "typical."

"Do expect some shifts in volatile weather patterns," Weather Network meteorologist Bryn Jones said. "Periods of nice weather will be offset by stormy weather."

According to the Weather Network's 2012/13 winter outlook, Canadians can expect the usual cold and snow this year.

It will be business as usual in most of British Columbia and Alberta, meteorologists predict.

Some places will even be colder than usual. That's the forecast for the Northwest Territories, Yukon and Nunavut, as well as across the Boreal and Parkland regions of the Prairie provinces.

Much of Eastern and Central Canada, however, will luck out with some warmer-than-average weather this winter. Atlantic Canada and areas near the Great Lakes are expected to be warmer than usual, thanks to milder water temperatures.