Cause and effect modifier

[Sun Light]

Analysts blamed May's sluggish retail sales on unexciting merchandise as well as the weather, colder and wetter than was usual in some regions, which slowed sales of barbecue grills and lawn furniture.

colder and wetter than was usual in some regions, which slowed

which was colder and wetter than usual in some regions, slowing

since it was colder and wetter than usually in some regions, which slowed

being colder and wetter than usually in some regions, slowing

having been colder and wetter than was usual in some regions and slowed


A. "Regions slowed ...." It's not the reguons, it's the weather.

B. "Which" refers to weather.

"weather was colder and wetter than usual in some regions, slowing sales .."

Now the way I see the above:

1. "Slowing" can modify "weather" or "regions", but in both of these cases it is not logical.

But " slowing sales .... " correctly modifies the effect of weather. Cause effect relationship is properly indicated.

Is the above reasoning ok..

[Ali Tariq]

B. "Which" refers to weather.

"weather was colder and wetter than usual in some regions, slowing sales .."

Now the way I see the above:

1. "Slowing" can modify "weather" or "regions", but in both of these cases it is not logical.

slowing correctly goes back to weather.
There is no way for slowing to modify regions

weather is not actually slowing down sales as in active manner.
However, weather is responsible for slowing down of sales.
i.e, if you have to pin the responsibility of effect( slowing down of sales) on someone/something, it will be weather.

But " slowing sales .... " correctly modifies the effect of weather. Cause effect relationship is properly indicated.

Correct.
Cause and effect relationship without time delay / time shift ,since Verbing connotes simultaneous relationship.