First Major Snow Storm of the Season Hits the Northeast

Granville, Massachusetts --The Northeast suffered a "one, two" knockout punch over the past 4 days as snow, and lots of it, blanketed the region. For the past few years, residents of many cities in the Northeastern United States could only dream about a white Christmas. Over the past few years, rumblings of "global warming" could be heard as short-sleeve-shirt temperatures were common as golfers could be seen playing a round on local courses as temperatures climbed into the high 60s and low 70s.

Weather-dependent Business Suffer

The lack of snowfall has hit and hit hard many small businesses that depend on early and consistent snowfall to fuel their businesses through the winter months. Hardest hit are snowmobile dealerships, where the lack of snowfall scares off potential big ticket item customers. Kim Beninkade, general manager of New Boston Crane Service and Sleds in Sandisfield, Massachusetts remarks, "This past week's snowfall has brought the sled [snowmobile] buyers out of hiding."

Ms. Benninkade went on to say, "In past years, potential snowmobile buyers were scared off when the snow Had not't materialized by Christmas. We still have lots of inventory left over from 2006 and 2007 caused by the lack of early snow; but we're optimistic that the recent snowfall will help us find new homes for our leftover sleds."

Other local businesses that have been hit hard are the ski areas. Leon Ripley, owner of Maple Corner Farms cross country skiing area in Granville, Massachusetts grins as he unloads a delivery of his farm's maple sugar products to a local country store. When asked, "How's business?" Mr. Ripley comments, "This [snowfall] is just great! Our cross country skiing business has taken a beating over the past few years-this snowfall is a Godsend-it's always hard though, trying to make a living off something over which you have no control."

And the latest snowfall can be nothing but good news for the local favorite Holiday season attraction called "Bright Nights," which is a festival of lights held in Forest Park in Springfield, Massachusetts. The attraction, which opens in November and then closes shortly after Christmas, has suffered over the past years due to the lack of snowfall. "Somehow, the lights just don't look the same without snow," comments one unidentified patron as they wait in line for entry to the attraction.

The Storm's "One, Two punch"

The winter season's first major snowstorm moved across the upper Midwest earlier last week, arriving in the Northeast on Friday, where it dumped several inches of snow as it moved across the region. Part two of the storm hit early Sunday morning, where it dumped an additional 6 or more inches while mixing with sleet and ice, making digging out and traveling even more difficult for the region's residents.

When it was all over, most of the Northeast had received an average of 14 inches of snow, which mixed with ice and sleet on Sunday. Still, for the most part, the final gasp of the storm left behind good news for those who participate in winter activities such as skiing or snowmobiling and those who cater to them-a beautiful, covering of fluffy snow-just perfect for those wintertime activities.

As Monday drew to a close, crews were still cleaning up side streets and homeowners could be seen putting the finishing touches on clearing their driveways and sidewalks.

And with daily temperatures still hovering in the low teens and 20s, it seems like this latest blanket of snow will be here to stay for awhile. With just a week to go, a white Christmas is almost a certainty for those who live in the Northeast.

With this past week's snow storm relegated to the history books, the end results should be ringing Christmas bells as Holiday spirit soars with the arrival of snow. Even better, it should also bring the sound of ringing cash registers for those businesses who have endured the loss and frustration of the snow-free Decembers of years past.