Saturday February 20 2010
I was told this was coming and to prepare for it, but I chose to not believe it.
Now I must accept it: the very real existence of that darned El Niño (the strongest one since the winter of 1997-98.) Warmer than average winter temperatures in the Northwest. Floods in California. Record snowfalls in Texas. Snowstorms few and far between in Colorado. All of that has added up to One Wimpy Winter in Owyhee.
One report says the weather pattern of drier than normal weather in the Pacific Northwest will continue another month or two. Another report - the one I optimistically choose to believe - says that in an El Niño year, storms tend to come back in the late season, especially in the Central Rockies and the Northwest, so don't give up hope.
As a teaser, or perhaps a promise, I've woken up to white ground cover the last two mornings (neither of which was predicted by the weather forecast I watch).
There's still a chance, and plenty of time, to salvage this winter season.
I haven't given up yet. However, by the looks of Mac's coat
and my fleece jacket, 
winter just might be done.
