Avid skiers and lovers of the out-of-doors may be asking themselves why the snow decided to fall late this winter.

Jeff Lutz, student meteorologist and tower worker for the campus weather service, attributes the overall lack of precipitation this winter to an unfavorable upper air pattern which is pushing storms north and south of the State College area.

"Generally what we are seeing is no upper-level trough to give us air from the Gulf of Mexico," he said.

Milder temperatures earlier in the winter were due to a southwesterly wind pattern, Lutz said. If the winds blow from the north, this brings colder air to the area and helps produce snow.

Jim Candos, expert senior meteorologist for Accu-Weather, said Monday's 7-inch snow storm was a result of a northern air flow and a storm system in the south.

Lutz said the amount of liquid precipitation for 1988 was below normal levels by seven-and-a-half inches.

"So far the amount of precipitation is running far below what we had in the past," he said."We have not caught up from last summer's drought,"

Precipitation for February was slightly below the normal 2.46 but temperatures were normal, Candos said.

"If the current weather patterns persist there will be problems in the spring," he said. "The question is will there be rain in March and April when the greening process begins?"

Lutz said if dry or less than normal precipitation levels continue water restrictions could be enacted in the area.

"There is not enough water to recharge reservoirs and aquifers," he said.