Any meteorologist with a website, Facebook page, or twitter handle realizes many weather enthusiasts are fans of winter weather. In order to generate "traffic" it is best to target that audience. .."East is in for a brutal winter"....that will drive the weather enthusiasts and the non weather enthusiasts to the site......as opposed to "East is in store for a very mild winter"...
Right now if you went to the SNE subforum and you posted a forecast calling for a mild and dry winter....well your forecast would be "poo pooed"...BUT if you posted something like " I think New England is in store for a severe winter".....your post would receive numerous positive comments and likes..