| While scientists are dipping their thermometers in the | | | | last season. Figures for some regions indicate a |
| ocean currents off South America and studying | | | | decrease of 20 percent in snowfall for December, |
| satellite weather data, are you waxing your skis or | | | | January, and February. Yet one forecasting group |
| snowboard and wondering if you're going to be able | | | | predicts a 30 percent increase in average snowfall for |
| to hit the slopes this winter? How much snow can | | | | northern California resorts. Ironing out the variations, |
| you expect for the 2009-2010 ski season? Weather | | | | predictions suggest there's going to be slightly less |
| forecasters are batting around the term "El Nino," a | | | | snowfall than in a normal year. |
| weather pattern that usually means less of the white | | | | Wind and milder temperatures typically accompany |
| stuff and bleaker snow reports than in normal years. | | | | these lesser snow amounts during El Nino years. But |
| So, when should you plan that anxiously awaited ski | | | | cold temperatures can break the cycle periodically. |
| trip to the Cascades, California's high mountain | | | | These colder periods often occur around the time of |
| resorts, or the pure powder slopes of Colorado and | | | | the full moon. Book accordingly! |
| Utah? Or should you just sign up for indoor tennis | | | | The snow reports should get better by spring. The El |
| lessons and forget the ski season? | | | | Nino cycle is expected to weaken by March bringing |
| The business of long-range weather forecasting isn't | | | | more snow to ski country. In the Rockies, March is |
| perfect, but the men and women who venture into | | | | typically the month with the most snowfall. So if |
| this difficult field are suggesting there should be | | | | you're booking your vacation late, it could be worth |
| sufficient snow. Keep in mind that some of you have | | | | the wait. |
| been spoiled by the record snowfall amounts from | | | | |