The nationwide shortage of snowfall and how it impacts local skiing and snowboarding areas

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- South Bend is on pace to have winter 2023 be one of the least snowy yet, leaving those wishing to hit the slopes with their skis or snowboards wondering when the next big snow will be. 

In the meantime, businesses like Swiss Valley Ski and Snowboard Area are waiting for temperatures to cool down enough consistently to activate their snow guns, the machines responsible for producing snow when nature will not. 

Michiana is not the only region lacking in the snow department this year/ 

Nationwide, only 15.7% of the continental U.S. is covered in snow compared to the five-year average of 32% at this point in December. 

When usually a third of the nation has a white blanket over it, less than a quarter currently does.

The long-term outlooks are not promising for white Christmas enthusiasts or snow-lovers either, as the most recent Climate Prediction Center projections support a higher likelihood of warmer and drier than normal conditions through January 3.

While snow may not be the immediate future, meteorological winter lasts through February and gives us plenty of opportunities to watch for our favorite frozen precipitation.