O'Doul the Collie and NOAA go pata a pata

As winter draws to a close, the judges are marking their scorecards to determine the outcome of the battle between O'Doul the Collie and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

The federal agency predicted an El Niño winter: warm, mild (you're soaking in it). The winter shedding of canine weather prognosticator O'Doul the Collie suggested a colder, harsher season.

So, who won in the battle of the weather wonks?

• Rainfall in the greater Seattle area measured 9 inches in November -- a variance of 3.1 inches from the average 5.9 inches of precipitation. On Thanksgiving alone, 1.34 inches of rain poured down in Seattle.
• Seattleites were subjected to a cold snap in December From December 6 to December 13, the outdoor thermostat never climbed above 39 degrees. From December 5 to December 12, the daily "low" ranged from 16 to 28 degrees.
• Nearly an inch of rain fell on January 4. Four days later, the Seattle area collected 0.81 inches of precipitation. Then, the mercury rose to 59 degrees on January 18 and 60 degrees the following day.
• Federal officials estimated that the snowpack statewide eroded to 74 percent of average during January.
• In February, daily high temperature fell below 50 degrees only six times in the month. During one stretch between February 18 and February 21, the daily high ranged from 57 to 59 degrees.
• The mild climate in Vancouver necessitated that Olympic organizers import snow for the alpine events in February.
• Local drivers popped the tops of their convertibles before the Martin Luther King Jr. federal holiday.

One might argue that NOAA triumphed over the collie and the winter shedding because the El Niño winter prevailed. However, Mount Baker resident Tony -- O'Doul's caretaker and spin doctor -- counters that NOAA officials were premature in predicting an El Niño winter. First, the climate was not as mild as NOAA forecasted, Tony said. Second, the onset of mild and dry weather did not occur until January -- later than NOAA anticipated, Tony maintained.

When asked if he would concede to NOAA, Tony offered, "I'll concede to a draw."

Some authorities credit Navy football coach Eddie Erdaletz as being the first person quoted who said, "A tie is like kissing your sister." It isn't often that you see one like Tony willing to accept a tie. So egalitarian, so Canadian.

Oh, wait... Team Canada won the men's ice hockey gold medal by scoring against Team USA in overtime. In the words of Nirvana, "Nevermind."