El Nino drives weird weather across the U.S.
BUFFALO, N.Y. -- People in Denver expected to wake up to a dusting of snow this morning, but instead, they woke up to 8 inches which made driving nearly impossible.
In the east, the seasons are all out of wack.
April's cherry blossoms are blooming in D.C. after a week in the 60s and 70s, and Buffalo, N.Y. is barely recognizable.
In 2014, two major snow storms dumped more than 7 feet of snow in Buffalo's suburbs in 48 hours, trapping drivers in their cars and leaving a community digging out for days.
In November 2014, CBS News interviewed Janice Anzalone on her snow-covered roof, which she said was "back-breaking work" as she shoveled it off.
Asked if she wants to do it this year, she said, "No. No, I don't ever want to go again."
Public Works Commissioner Steve Stepniak says the city had blown through its $6 million snow removal budget in 2014.
Questioned if he misses the snow, Stepniak responded, "Yeah, there is something in me that does miss it a little, but it's there. It's gonna be here eventually."
This is the latest Buffalo has gone without snow since 1899.
El Nino is to be blamed. The weather phenomenon has warmed ocean water in the Pacific that in turn has led to a strong flow of mild air blowing in from the west. At the same time, a polar jet stream is keeping the cold air bottled up and away from the northeast.
Last year had a weak polar vortex, big dips and ridges in it, and that allowed a lot of this cold air to move southward. This year it's spinning very tightly around the arctic and that's where it's expected to stay," said Meteorologist Eric Fisher.
"These systems have created extreme weather conditions on both coasts. The west is suffering through storms and flooding. In the Buffalo area, the only real sign of winter are the Christmas decorations.
Lake effect snow could hit Buffalo this Friday. Officials from the National Weather Service say next week's temperatures could go into the 50s, possibly the 60s on Christmas Eve.