Long winter in the east, early spring in the west

[orezok]

You guys in the east are suffering a brutal winter. Out here it has been a very mild winter. I'd guess that we had less than 10 nights that dropped below freezing and no days. Right now, my lilacs and mulberry are budding out and my peaches are in full bloom. I hope we had enough cold nights for my apples to fruit. I even have a donor potato growing in the garden. Usually I don't plant until mid March due to late frosts.

Welcome to climate change.

 

[oosik]

Yes, here in Eastern WA state I've already got buttercups and grass widows blooming. My bushes along side the house are budding and making leaves also.

This will be, unless something drastic happens, the warmest, driest winter since I came down from Alaska in '82.

Normally this time of year we have 20-30 inches of snow on the ground. The grass is growing like mad in my yard now and it won't be long until I have to mow. Our temps are right at 20 F above normal for this time of year also.

There is a down side to this warm, dry winter - - we could be in for a really nasty wildfire season this late summer/fall.

 

[nybirdman]

For sure;my friends/neighbors go to Washington State for the winter;great move this year.Quite different than northern NY.

 

[Jstpssng]

It's actually been a good winter here. Plenty of snow for businesses which depend on the skiers and snowsledders, and the low price of gas can't be hurting them either. (Also helps those who heat with oil.)

We depend on winter to get wood cut in areas which are too wet to access in summer. I've seen years when we were nearly shut down now...

There is no frost in the ground though, and very little moisture in the snow. When spring gets here it's going to come fast, and it could be another mediocre year for maple sugar producers.