Mild December Weather A Boom For Some, A Bust For Others

December has been a godsend for Menomonee Falls residents who fear the fluffy white stuff and yearn for warmer climes in the throes of winter.

But for those with a Polaris sitting under a cover in the garage or a plow mounted on the pickup, this winter has been a dud so far.

For the crews that plow the snow, winter has also been a boom or a bust depending on which sector you serve in — public or private.

Savings for the village

Throughout December, Menomonee Falls public works employees are getting plenty of tree trimming and pruning, rather than plowing, finished in the absence of snow. In fact, Public Works Director Arlyn Johnson said crews went out just once during a light snowfall early this month — and that was with a limited crew.

For the village and its taxpayers, that translates into hefty savings.

Last year, village plow crews were out on the streets seven times in December — all in the span of 18 days between Dec. 4 and Dec. 22. Crews cleared a foot of snow in that time frame at a cost of $167,000, which included overtime and equipment costs.

On average, it cost the village $23,850 each time crews were sent out in 2010. Total costs vary based on wind, drifting, overtime and type of salt treatment for needed for a particular storm.

During the Dec. 17 snowfall this year, it cost the village just $12,000 to remove an inch of snow, which means the village has spent $155,000 less this month than it did in December 2010.

“So far it’s been a very nice winter, we’ve been able to complete other work in December. We also haven’t had to deal with a lot of overtime costs, either,” Johnson said.

The Public Works Department allotted $3.6 million for street maintenance in 2011 and $3.4 million in 2012. The village's Financial Services Department will calculate any savings resulting from a reduced workload for plowing at year’s end, and the Village Board would decide where that surplus money should go.

A Bust for Others

While seeing green fields in December translates to extra "green" in the village coffers, it’s browning the wallets of business owners who rely on the snow for revenue during the season.

“It’s been good around here up until about two months ago, and it seems like business has fallen off the face of the Earth,” said Lon Wall, who owns L&K Specialties on Bobolink Avenue in Falls.

Wall said his 50 winter snowplowing routes, along with new plow sales and maintenance, account for roughly 75 percent of his winter business. Because of this year’s weather, Wall is facing a reality he never thought he would.

“I’ve never had to do any layoffs in January in my 25 years, but it may be a reality. I’m hoping I don’t have to do that,” Wall said.

Prior to December, in the sultry months of August, Wall said plow sales were better than he had seen in a long time. Rumor had it that the 2011-12 winter was going to deliver record low temperatures and snowfall totals. With the impending forecast, L&K Specialties installed hundreds of plows on vehicles.

But so far this year, those plows have been gathering dust in the garages throughout the area. While those plows stay indoors, Wall said the plow maintenance portion of his business also sits idle.

“Some 60 percent of customers are landscapers and they’re hurting now, too,” Wall said. “I can’t even remember a time in my entire life where we didn’t have any snow this late into December.”

An Anomaly or Growing Trend?

So, in 2011 it appears the big snow and cold temperatures predicted is either a dud or just lying in wait. However, the numbers show a growing trend toward leaner winters over the past several years in southeastern Wisconsin.

In the winter of 2007-08, Menomonee Falls experienced 38 storm events and accumulated 104 inches of snow, according to data provided by Johnson. In 2008-09, those numbers fell to 30 events, and 75 inches; and in 2009-10 totals dipped further to 17 events and 46 inches.

According to data from the Wisconsin State Climatology Office, the snowfall totals in the Milwaukee area reached a 100-year high in 2007 at 99 inches, but has been on a sharp decline ever since. However, snowfall totals rise and fall dramatically in a cyclical pattern.

Regardless, it has been a notable December for reasons uncommon to the month. Typically in December, this area will see about 12 inches of snow fall. And an average of 14 days in December have at least 1 inch of snow depth, according to weather data.

In the meantime, while Wisconsin bucks a weather trend this month, Wall will do what he can to get snow falling. He’s encouraging others to do the same.

“It was nice talking to you, and be sure to do your snow dance for me when we’re done talking,” Wall said before ending the interview.