Well, that’s a wrap on ski season. It was an odd one, and I’ve seen my fair share of strange weather shifts across the Cascades, Rocky Mountains, Sierra Nevada, and Wasatch. Warmer temperatures plagued ski areas across the region, resulting in rain. When it did snow, we dealt with power outages, landslides, avalanches, and tree falls that blocked roads.

Washington state and the greater Seattle region did not bank the snow needed at higher elevations, and we will see the ramifications as summer comes into view. El Niño is adding uncertainty, but it looks like conditions will be dry and fire prone. Lower river levels in the fall will have a cascading effect on salmon and, in turn, on orcas.

Nevertheless, Seattle has been in full bloom, and the longer days and beautiful weather are calling for other forms of recreation, even if we know there is always a good chance of May showers, June gloom, or whatever else the Pacific Northwest has up its sleeve. See you out there.