SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) – Sporadic weather in the spring is the norm in Syracuse. However, industries that utilize the warmer months for operation are struggling.
Skaneateles is a town that relies heavily on tourism. The low temperatures and late-April storms are causing real consequences in the town.
“When we get a nice day, we really see a huge jump in the number of people downtown, the people shopping so it makes a huge difference,” Hillary Fenner, the executive director of the Skaneateles Chamber of Commerce, said. “The weather can actually really make it or break it for us in April and May.”
Seasonal businesses are hit the hardest by the inclement weather. It’s hard to sell goods based on summer months when the thermometer reads under freezing.
“When you’re an ice cream stand or a mini golf location, it’s hard to open and be able to really open well when there is going to be six to ten inches of snow,” Fenner said.
However, tourism isn’t the only industry affected by the weather. Golf courses throughout the Central New York area are dealing with the inconsistent temperatures.
“It’s been tough getting the course up and running fully, like getting carts out and letting people actually even walk on the course somedays just because the snow and the cold can damage the course,” Tim Sheridan, an assistant golf professional at Drumlins Golf Club, said.
As late-April turns to May, spring industries throughout the greater Syracuse area are keeping their fingers crossed for warmer temperatures.
