Different December this Year...

Last December folks up north were getting buried by snowstorm after snowstorm along with some bitter cold temperatures. For the 1st 2 weeks of December 2011, Chicago has received only 1/2 inch of snow, far behind 2010. What is going on? Most of the Gurus predicted another harsh winter, but that is not happening so far. Partly because we have not seen the blocking pattern that set up in 2010 that drove the cold air southward into the lower 48. For the next 7-10 days the western trough will linger with a weak ridge over the SE keeping us mild. Will Santa have to change to short sleeves when he arrives in the South? Stay tuned!