The BortolussiCam is back!

The Sault received its first stay-on-the-ground snowfall overnight, and SooToday.com scrambled to turn on our exclusive BortolussiCam at 470 Albert Street East to show you the scene on the front steps of the local landmark of truth, justice and relief from annoying zoning bylaws.

Remember all that snow last winter?

Get ready for more of the same.

At least that’s what major forecasters are saying.

Both Environment Canada and the Canadian Farmers’ Almanac expect above-average precipitation across SooToday.com country during the winter of 2008-09. But their outlooks differ when it comes to temperatures.

Environment Canada anticipates warmer-than-normal winter readings.

On the other hand, the almanac is calling for “very cold and snowy” conditions around the Great Lakes.

Another bone-chilling warning comes from the U.S.

AccuWeather.com's chief long-range forecaster says the approaching “colder and snowier winter” will be “the hardest in several years" for people in the eastern part of the continent.

"The core of cold was centered across the Great Plains last year but is expected to be farther east this year," notes the website.