After a winter of record rainfall in parts of California, not to mention the nearly unprecedented effects of Hurricane Hillary in August, weather prognosticators are forecasting a strong El Nino for the winter to continue through the spring, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. A week before Thanksgiving the first rains came to Southern California spreading nominal to significant precipitation, and some experts say rainy weather conditions are just starting to crank. Generally, an El Nino means warm temperatures and heavier precipitation. Regardless, winter preparedness is no small matter. The last few years have added terms like snowmageddon,…