FACTBOX-What forecasters are saying about the US winter

NEW YORK, Oct 15 (Reuters) - U.S. winter heating fuel stockpiles remain well above year-ago levels, but the early arrival of cold temperatures in some regions of the United States have pushed oil prices higher this week.

Below is a sampling of recent winter outlooks from government and private forecasters.

NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION

El Nino phenomenon to be dominant factor in U.S. weather.

In December through February, warmer-than-average temperatures will prevail across much of the Western and Central states, with below average temperatures in the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic.

The forecast for the Northeast, the world's largest heating oil market, will have equal chances of above-normal, near-normal, or below-normal temperatures and precipitation. [nN15304234]

JOE BASTARDI, CHIEF HURRICANE AND LONG-RANGE FORECASTER, ACCUWEATHER, STATE COLLEGE, PENNSYLVANIA:

Winter to be stormier, colder than recent years, with a weakening El Nino pattern.

The regions from southern New England through the Appalachians and Mid-Atlantic, including the Carolinas, to be hit hardest by cold and snowy weather. Cold to hit major cities in the South, including Atlanta and Charlotte.