Lack of winter at the Winter Olympics

The most noticeable thing about being in Vancouver for the Winter Olympics is that it's not winter. At least it doesn't feel like it.

A mild, sunny day in Vancouver on Feb. 9. Due to the lack of snow in places such as Cypress Mountain, there are some concerns over how the lack of precipitation might affect some events.

While Chicago is experiencing several inches of snow and the Atlantic coast is being pounded with several feet of snow, it's a comparably balmy 43 degrees in Vancouver today. And while passing through Seattle yesterday, we even ate lunch outside.

It's a welcome relief from Chicago's harsh winter, but there are definite concerns about the climate's affect on the Games. For the next 10 days, the temperatures are in the mid-40s, and there is at least a 30 percent chance of rain in the forecast, as much as 70 and 90 percent Wednesday and Thursday, respectively. At least a few inches of snow is expected in Whistler on Wednesday, where the majority of skiing and snowboarding events will be held. There are stockpiles of snow on hand, but the U.S. mogulists don't seem to be worried anyway:

``We've skied in hot weather, cold weather, rain, we're used to anything,'' said Heather McPhie of Bozeman, Montana.

``On ice, powder, slush,'' added Nate Roberts of Park City, Utah.

-Source: Chicago Tribune.

Regardless, it seems that Snowmageddon is on the wrong coast.