Where is all the snow?
MAUREEN DOLAN/Staff writer | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 11 years, 11 months AGO
Wondering if this winter is going to be a flop as far as snow goes?
It sure looks that way for those living at elevations of 2,500 feet and below.
Blame it on a weak El Nino, says Cliff Harris.
The Coeur d'Alene climatologist says the weather phenomenon creates a ridge that leads to warmer, drier conditions, and yes, less snow.
"If the ridge doesn't move, this winter will be a bust," Harris said.
The outdoor temperature rose to 49 degrees Monday afternoon in Coeur d'Alene. It wasn't a record-breaker, but it wasn't far off. Back in 1945, the high temperature was 52 degrees.
Last month, Harris reduced his snowfall projection for this winter season by 20 inches.
He thinks he could reduce it even more.
"This is very similar to other years when we've had El Nino," Harris said.
The last El Nino occurred in 2009-10, Harris said.
That mild winter season followed a few that didn't leave anyone wondering whether there would be much snow.
Harris recalled the 2007-08 winter's 173 inches of snow that led to building collapses across the region.
During that last El Nino, Harris said he only had to plow his driveway once.
This year, he has plowed it it twice.
"Skiing isn't great, but it's better than it was in '09-10," he said.
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