By early March snow pack in the mountains was below average, but there had been snow on the ground at BCL since November 12. This was the first time we have seen snow cover last so long. Global warming deniers should not get their hopes up — temperatures over this period were 2°F higher than average. The weather was consistent with an El Niño year. The lingering snow was possibly due to the low variance in temperatures: we did not have many unusually warm, dry spells as in past years (for example, last year). There were some good ski days, but none of the cold smoke powder we expect. If the El Niño pattern continues, we will see a wet, cool Summer.