Normal has never happened, in the 10 years I have been fishing Cascade. We get winters with little snow, with feet of snow, sub zero, and shirt sleeve days in any month. I am not sure why it matters, but this is not the coldest, warmest, least or most snow we have had. I would put it on the warm side, and snow on the low side. Fishing pressure has been the highest I have seen, and catching, for me, has dropped off lately, with a higher proportion of small fish. It still varies a lot- I had big days at first ice.
When we have weeks without snow on the ice, like this year to date, we seem to get pressure ridges and buckles in the ice, which is when people fall through. In the next week, I expect over a foot of snow on the ice, and hopefully colder temperatures at night, which should build some ice.
From this far out, I don't think you can guarantee anything. The ice is thin enough that a February thaw could end the season early.
