21.   Slater blamed bad weather for part of the problem.

22.   State revenue officials blamed bad weather for putting them behind schedule, adding that their first priority is to mail out refunds.

23.   Such fowl, er, foul weather is blamed yearly for driving whitewing and mourning doves into Mexico, frequently occurring just before the season opens.

24.   The Brazilian association blamed bad weather.

25.   The dry weather was blamed on El Nino, a weather phenomenon that originates in tropical regions of the Pacific Ocean.

26.   The Economics Ministry blamed freezing weather for stifling the building industry.

27.   The Economics Ministry blamed freezing weather for stifling the economy.

28.   The FAA, until last week, staunchly defended its creaking system and instead blamed the weather.

29.   The government blames the weather for exacerbating fire conditions.

30.   While retailers were helped by the calendar last month --May had five Saturdays and one holiday weekend -- they blame poor weather for their lackluster performance.