December comes in like a lamb

December arrived with a whimper. A warm one at that.

Wednesday’s 61 degrees in Coeur d’Alene broke a 70-year-old mark for the high temperature on Dec. 1. It shattered the 1954 record of 54 degrees.

“We killed that record,” said Coeur d’Alene climatologist Cliff Harris.

He credited warm, southwesterly winds, including gusts up to 25 mph, for pushing "the mercury up like crazy here,” he said.

People took advantage. Many were out cycling, kids were playing at McEuen Park, sitting outside on Sherman Avenue and some, like Barry Baughman and Adriana Duarte, were walking their dogs.

“It’s so warm. I’m surprised we’re not in the 40s right now,” said Duarte, who had Kai on the end of the leash. “It’s so nice.”

Baughman, being pulled along by Mika, said it seems like it’s getting warmer each year in the area, which has its advantages.

“It’s great weather for taking the dogs out. Once it’s snowing, she is not a fan,” he said of Mika. “She doesn’t want to go out.”

“No rain, either,” added Duarte, adding that it “feels like spring. Early fall or spring. It absolutely does.”

Harris said this heat wave, the result of warm winds coming off the Pacific Ocean near Hawaii, set high-temperature marks for Dec. 1 around the region.

It was 66 degrees in Missoula, Mont., 70 in Helena, 78 in Miles City, 70 in Ellensburg, Wash., and 80 in Redding, Calif., — all records.

“Even in the Dakotas there was a 70,” Harris said. “It’s been unbelievably warm in the West and it’s unbelievable for the beginning of December."

Harris said current conditions are more like what the area would see in early April.

Coeur d’Alene has received just 3.4 inches of snow so far this week, less than half of the normal 10 inches or so.

“We’re not getting much moisture, but we’re getting a lot of warmth,” Harris said.

Silver Mountain Resort reported zero new snow in the last three days, with 10 inches at the summit and 8 at the lodge. It was 35 degrees at the summit.

Silver Mountain was closed Wednesday and today but hoped to be open Friday and the weekend.

Schweitzer Mountain Resort also reported zero snowfall for three days. It was 45 degrees at the village on Wednesday.

"Based on current conditions and the warmer weather we have this week, the mountain is temporarily closed," according to its website. "We plan to reopen as soon as weather allows."

That could be soon.

Harris expects falling temperatures next week, with highs in the 30s and lows in the 20s and perhaps the teens, with snow and rain likely.

Harris believes it will be colder, with more snow, in late December and early January.

He urged people not to let their guard down and to prepare for icy roads and freezing temperatures.

“Winter is coming,” he said.