By Marc Strauss

BLOOMINGTON – The mild winter had been tough sledding for area snow plow operators. Bloomington-Normal has only received 8.3 inches of snow this winter. That’s nine inches below average.

The owner of Scott’s Mowing and Snow Removal in Towanda said the extreme lack of snow has cost him significant business.

“Its been a pretty significant hit,” said Scott Stuart. “We did have the opportunity to put salt down maybe four or five times with those icing events that we had but really I just plowed twice.”

According to National Weather Service figures Bloomington-Normal has experienced its 15th lowest snowfall total on record through the month of February. Average snowfall for the area is 17.3 inches. Last year was also below average at 12. 7 inches.

“Winter time is where you make your money. During an average winter you can make some pretty decent money. But for the past four out of six years that just hasn’t happened,” Stuart said.

This winter has been the slimmest yet.

“Dollar wise, (its cost me) at least $30,000 less, give or take. That’s just me. Again I’m just a couple-man operation as compared to some guy who’s got four or five trucks,” Stuart said.

In addition to minimal snowfall, total precipitation is down this winter by more than 40-percent.