As we fast approach the end of October, it looks like this is one for the record books. It is turning into one of the warmest, driest Octobers in Nederland’s history, with temperatures 10 degrees warmer than normal. Yesterday, it was in the 70s up here in the mountains, and high 80s down below in Denver, literally a summer day. In the five years we have been living here, we have always had several inches of snow fall in October, but this year, no measurable snow. And the long-term forecast is just calling for more of the same.
The funny thing is, in most parts of the country, this would be welcome news. Our friend, Dave, who lives back east, despises cold and snow, and relishes this type of weather. But here in Colorado, despair and angst has set in, as late October signals the start of the ski season. It is the time of year when ski resorts are trying to make snow in earnest to get ready to open my mid-November, and temperatures 10 degrees above normal are definitely not welcome. The Colorado economy in large part is driven by tourism, and especially winter skiing, and warmer weather can really impact bookings for Christmas and New Year’s. I am one of those die-hard skiers, and am chomping at the bit to get out on the slopes again, but I’m typically happy if I can ski by Thanksgiving or early December, so am trying to stay optimistic.
The other concern with this warm, and sometimes windy weather is the threat of wildfires. We were very lucky this past year in that we had a lot of moisture, until now. Ironically, many of the state and federal agencies have planned prescribed burns for this time of year, having banked on it being cool and possibly moist. Prescribed burning can be hugely helpful in preventing larger fires by burning off a lot of ground duff, but there have also been occasions during dry and windy times that prescribed burns have turned into full-blown wildland fires, such as the one in Conifer, Colorado in March, 2012 that destroyed several homes and killed three people.
Well, the weather is just one more thing I have no control over, so will try to hike and bike and enjoy this, and cross my fingers that winter weather is on its way….
