Where is the black hole for lack of snowfall in the Great Lakes this season? Look no further than Cleveland, Ohio.
Back in October, I said in my Winter Forecast that the storm track would be favorable for Northern Ohio snows from early February through mid-March. The storm track--the path along which surface low pressures travel--has moved right across Ohio several times in the last couple of weeks. Indeed, the big ones have been close. For the last month, heavy snows have been within 200 miles of Cleveland. But, each one has basically missed the Greater Cleveland area. Why? You can blame it on a strong El Nino in the Pacific Ocean. Strong El Ninos virtually always mean LESS snow for our area.
Let's check major reporting stations around Ohio and the Great Lakes. You'll quickly see the percentage of snowfall compared to average for Cleveland this winter season is one of the lowest in the Great Lakes Region. It is second only to Binghamton, New York for lowest snowfall percentage of average. Numbers are through March 1.
Toledo 15.5" Deficit: -15.3" = 50% of average
