Lately, clickbait for me is any headline with the phrase “El Niño” in it. The term refers to a weather pattern born in the ocean off the west coast of South America that sends moisture into our dry, inland state.
Anything is better than La Niña, which we suffered through last ski season. For me, it was an experience of driving two hours to Copper Mountain, in February, for no particular reason. My Ikon pass devolved into a $1,100 plastic necklace.
But that was last winter.
According to our very own Colorado Sun, El Niño-driven moisture could soon flow into the Rocky Mountain West. Much of this damp optimism came from the Colorado State meteorologist — a job title akin to “Maytag repairman.” Nothing much to do! When do we ever have weather?
No, sunshine doesn’t count.
The meteorologist cited the last strong El Niño, in 1997. It brought fall and winter storms, and flash floods along the Front Range. Our half-empty glasses filled, and overflowed!
“Will that happen this fall and winter?,” the Sun’s reporter asked.
“We don’t really know,” shrugged our weather guru shrugged.
Sounds like time to prepare for the worst. That’s why I’m considering the upsides of drought.
Goodbye lawn mowing, hello xeriscaping.
No humidity, no bad-hair days.
300,000-acre weenie roasts.
Easier access to dry land by new life forms growing in our empty reservoirs.
More cow skulls, for fans of Georgia O’Keeffe.
Who doesn’t like brown?
Flamboyant hats for everyone! And everything!
One downside? The Colorado Rockies will play 15 home games in September, whether or not anyone wants them to.
