Burlington, Vermont - This year experts say we're less likely to see Lake Champlain flood and cause significant damage.
That's because snow totals are far behind average and last year.
When the snow melts this spring, there could be good news for people who live and work near Lake Champlain.
"The threat for any flooding on Lake Champlain at this time is very low," says Eric Evenson, National Weather Service meteorologist.
Evenson says that's because there is less snow in the mountains.
"We are well above normal in our temperatures and it's bringing more rain events than snow events," says Evenson.
Evenson says we probably won't see the extremes we saw last year. That's when Lake Champlain rose to record levels and damaged homes, businesses and almost everything in its way.
Evenson blames last year's flooding on a combination of historic events.
"Above normal snow pack, above normal temperatures, and then these rain events that were bringing one to two inches of rain into the area," says Evenson.
While the amount of ice is also below normal, Evenson says that could change with a blast of cold air. Several days of frigid temperatures could cause ice jams and lead to river flooding.
"When you think about it, it's only mid-February and winter never seems to forget us," says Evenson.
If we can break this warm weather pattern, Evenson says some big snow storms could really bump up the snow pack.
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