In many parts of US, it's a winterless wonderland

In Maine, up to 100 people would be skiing on 12 miles of trails on a good day at Carter's Cross-Country Ski Center, but the center has yet to open because there's no snow on the ground. Worse, with no snow, no one is buying skiing gear from the store, said manager Jesse Hill.

It's discouraging, he said, given high hopes that accompanied the early snowfall in October and November.

"It was just a big tease," he said.

Fresh snow, said Matt Siekman, a skier from Portland, plays a psychological factor in motivating "weekend warriors." He admits to a bit of angst.

"It's mostly anxiety, but I try to remember it's going to happen," he said. "It's just a matter of time."

In New Hampshire, there's no snow to slow down Republicans as they zoom across the state to make their last push before next week's primary vote.

But the lack of snow means the state is missing its snowy backdrop as bundled-up journalists provide the latest political reports. And candidates have been unable to plunk campaign signs down in snow drifts to provide a showy backdrop for public appearances.

"It's an iconic part of the primary," said Dean Spiliotes, political science professor at Southern New Hampshire University. "It's part of the ambiance — the mill shots in Manchester, the snow-covered town squares, watching candidates shuffle through the snow."