The lack of snow throughout the California this season is hurting a few San Diego businesses.
It might sound strange, but local surf shops that also specialize in winter gear have seen a decrease in snow product sales.
Hansen’s Surf Shop in Encinitas saw a dip of snow purchases during the holiday season when people are likely to travel.
“It pretty much started after Christmas, people were canceling trips” said Ken Rodgers, manager of Hansen’s. “Even I was going to take my niece to Big Bear, but one of the factors of not going the 60 degree weather.”
Rodgers said goods, such as ski goggles or accessories, were hit the hardest. Even though the items are small, they make up a large part of Hansen’s business.
The unseasonably warm weather throughout the last few days has allowed them to sell other goods.
“We’re getting a lot a lot of people buying short and dresses,” said a clerk at Hansen’s. “But not a lot of snow stuff.”
Rodgers said he hopes the weather improves for the ski season, but meteorologists are unsure of the snow conditions for the early part of this year.
”Unfortunately the climatologists had it right, this is a very bad La Nina and dry year for us,” said NBC San Diego weather anchor Whitney Southwick. “For winter sports enthusiast it means we’re stuck going to Big Bear -- which thankfully makes great snow.”
He said the last two years were some of the best winters in California history, so this year feels especially tough for fans of the Northern California mountains.
Thankfully, there are still places that make great snow in SoCal.
“Conditions have been perfect for winter resorts such as Big Bear and Wrightwood,” Southwick said. “Cold, dry nights means lots of fresh snow for skiers and boarders in the morning.”
