Warm winter delights many

AUSTIN (KXAN) - A lot of people are talking about the weather this winter, or the lack of wintry weather.

In-depth look at the numbers

• Last winter we recorded 19 days of freezing temperatures. This year we've only had six days so far.
• Last January's average high was 60 degrees. This January's average high was 67 degrees.

More than just forecasters are noticing the difference.

Exactly one year ago Wednesday we were preparing for a powerful Arctic cold front. But Wednesday night, nobody was thinking of snow or ice.

"So hot. I'm from Colorado, so I love it," said University of Texas student Gentry Fyrwald.

Instead of hitting the slopes, Fyrwald hits the hike-and-bike trail in a warm, Central Texas winter.

"I'm enjoying this right now," said Fyrwald. "I'm getting a tan in the middle of wintertime."

Last Feb. 1 we were reporting on preparing pipes, plants and people for freezing weather.

This year we're hearing from people who aren't freezing and are taking advantage of it.

"It's awesome," said Austinite Shaun Monforte. "Look at everybody so happy. Everybody is just running outside and having a great time, you know."

"I'm enjoying it," said Austinite Ronny Galdamez. "For one thing, I don't have a lot of jackets and sweaters."

But some shops that sell winter clothing have had to mark some merchandise down.

"In terms of people from Austin, people are just coming in and being like. 'Well, when are you getting your summer stuff?' The silk, it's not really sweatproof, so it's been an interesting time," said Girl Next Door employee Tamar Buten.

And with the lingering possibility of still seeing a winter blast, Buten said they're keeping sweaters and scarves in stock.

"I feel like in March we always get a big cold front right before Spring Break, and so people come in here wearing shorts and a T-shirt and they're like, 'Oh, can I just get a sweater? Do you have something that I can just throw on?'" said Buten.

And there's also hope for cold at the Texas Chili Parlor.

"It's good for business," Texas Chili Parlor employee Kerry Morse. "People want chili when it's cold."

But if it doesn't get chilly outside, Morse is sure people will still come for the chili inside.

"Too hot to eat chili? It's like saying it's too cold to drink beer," said Morse.

For a timeline of last year's four-day Arctic outbreak, visit the weather blog. You can read the diary entries from the First Warning Weather Team.