Are you having a strange winter in 2011/2012? Why do you think that is?

This group is all but dead, but what the heck.  We've had a record strange winter this year in my neck of the woods.  There is only one other year in recorded history that we've had less snow.  Our temps are so far above average it is very strange.  We all say "I'm not complaing . . . "  but actually I am.  I like the change of seasons and find beauty in Winter as I knew it.  

Is it global warming?  Hard to deny that something is going on.  La Nina-----  well, we've had it before but it hasn't been like THIS.  

Okay, just talking to myself here.  

[specialmom]

And  now this early onslaught of tornados.  Our weather system is warning us that this is a warning sign of a very difficult period of weather to come in the next 180 days.  We just went through a tornado drill at home with our kids.  Never have we felt we needed to do that before.  Strange year indeed!  Why?

[specialmom]

This is becoming my weather journal.  LOL  Me myself and I.  Anyway, it was 70 last week and we had tornados (terrible and quite strange for Feb.).  And then today . . . snow.  About an inch which is more than we've really had all season.  Mother Nature needs to lay off the sauce.

[specialmom]

Today it is back up to 70 special mom.

I know special mom.

[specialmom]

Hi there specialmom.  Well yesterday was so gorgous---  I mean, short sleeve kind of weather with beautiful sun.  Highs in the high 60's.  And then today it is non stop cold rain.  It is so back and forth.  Wish it would go a certain way and stick with it.

Sounds hard specialmom.  

Well, it could be worse specialmom.

[specialmom]

Well, it's been a few days specialmom.  Thought I'd give others a chance to chime in.  anyway, it was almost 80 degrees here today!  We've had snow storms mid March before!!  And here I am planting pansies.  amazing.

However, at what price?  Our area needs a hard freeze.  Our fruit trees depend on it to have a good season of fruit.  We need the freeze to kill off the bugs as they say it will be a horrible spring/summer for bugs here.  Lots of things that winter does for us ----  we might find out that we take that for granted.  

Well, the good news is that the sleds I bought new this year will still be new next year. :>)  good one specialmom.  You are funny.  I like you.  

Oh boy.  glad no one is reading this.

[specialmom]

It has been 80 degrees for the past 5 days!  EIGHTY DEGREES.  It is crazy as it is not even the end of March yet.  We had snow this time last year.   All spring growing is a full month to 6 weeks ahead of where it is normally at.  Wonder what the repercussions will be.

global warming is starting to seem possible.  Who knew?

[adgal]

Just checked this group and I'll chime in here.  Yep, we are having a very odd winter here as well.  Little to no snow and extremely warm compared to normal.  And the craziest windstorms I have ever seen!  We lost 2 trees in our yard this year.  We have had the entire downtown core closed off at least 2 or 3 times due to signage coming off of skyscrapers..very dangerous.  We now have a wind warning system in place...brand new.  It's just been a bizarre year for us. The province 2 provinces east of us had what literally are summer temps a few days ago.  I have never heard of that happening in Winnipeg in March before.  Yep, very bizarre here too, although we have been fortunate enough to not have anything like those crazy killer tornadoes you folks experienced.  That was awful.

[specialmom]

Oh, wind storms can be a bit scary too.  We had one a couple of years ago that people still talk about.  We lost power for FIVE days and a couple of trees.  People had trees falling on their homes, roofs blown off, etc.  That wind storm was a site to see.  It was the tail end of a hurricane that came up from Texas.  

but you are right, Tornados take the cake.  We came up with a disaster plan------  you probably think I'm crazy but I have a first aid kit, water and some food stored in the basement now.  And we discussed with our boys what we'll do if there is a tornado----  where we'll be, put a mattress over us, etc.  But they say that it is going to be a crazy spring for these types of weather events.  So, better to be prepared.  

We've been at or above 80 for days now.  It is so odd in March.  All of my flowering trees have bloomed out, all of my spring bulbs have bloomed.  I even turned my AC on yesterday!!!  Yeesh,  I'm afraid it will be 120 degrees by May!  

Strange everywhere.  Makes you wonder . . . what the heck is going on!

[specialmom]

Today is the most gorgous day.  It is again almost 80 but there is a gentle breeze.  The sky is clear and bright blue.  I was sitting on my patio and noticed that it almost looked like it was snowing as the pettles from the flowers on my flowering apple trees were blowing off in the breeze.  It was almost magical, really.  Plus they smell really good.  

And . .  . we are expecting a 40 degree temp drop over the weekend.  Ugh.

[adgal]

Winter paid us a visit today...snow and more snow.  We are supposed to do the opposite though and see things improve over the weekend.  I just spoke to my cousin in Vancouver and they had snow yesterday..it rarely snows there and certainly never in March.  It just gets weirder and weirder, honestly.

[specialmom]

Okay, the downside to spring weather . . .  we have to mow every 3 to 4 days right now.  Ugh.  We've never even had our mower out before April according to my husband (who likes to keep track of these important details).

[adgal]

So weirdness continues.  It snowed all day yesterday.  Today it's far more springlike.  Honestly, I don't know whether to pack up my parka and unpack my spring clothes or do the opposite.  Spoke to my parents last night - they are in Ontario which is really far east of me.  My moms flowers are coming up....in March!!!  Not the norm in this country, I can tell you that.

[specialmom]

And we are having downpours that are intense.  The temp is dropping.  My beautiful flowering trees in back are officially 'deflowered'.  

It really is something to see such a strange weather pattern (or lack of pattern) all over!

[adgal]

So the springlike conditions this morning??  1/2 hour into our playground outing it starts snowing again....

[specialmom]

Really??????  

I just looked at my book bin that I put books in to read to the kids.  There are a bunch in there about winter, snow, sledding, etc. that we never even read because those stories aren't as much fun when the sun is shining brightly . . . which it did most of the winter!

[specialmom]

So we are back to cooler temps here.  Not freezing or anything but highs only in the 60's and lows in the 40's.  It feels good to have the windows open and have the house cooled back off!  This is more spring like to me.  It was strange to go straight into summer.  I had to do something about my toe nails really fast so I could wear my sandals!  lol

[adgal]

We are -4 C right now which converts to about 24 F (or around there).  Predicting a high of 1 which is about 33.  Pretty seasonal today and looks like that is where it will hover for the weekend.  Comfortable out with your jackets, etc. on, no need for long underwear.  No snow!!

[specialmom]

Oh sweetie------------  this tells me a lot about how cold in winter where you are.  33 degrees F is comfortable without jackets????  That is considered cold in these parts.  We got to the low 30's and high 20's for about 10 days this year.  usually we are in the 20's in the winter and we are all FREEZING.  LOL  

How cold is it in say January typically for you??

[adgal]

Well, we are nestled up against the mountains, so we get Chinook winds that can really warm things up.  But it's not uncommon for it to be -30 or even colder with the wind chill.  Then it can warm up to the pluses with +10.  I need to convert this for you....so it would be -22F to about 50F.  The 50 is probably less common, although this year we saw more of that sort of thing.

We always get weather thats a bit odd compared to the rest of the country, just because of the elevation and proximity to the mountains.  Last year we had snow in June, but usually May long weekend sees the end of it.  And by Halloween it's not uncommon to have snow again.  Short warm season.  Summer usually hovers around 25 or so (although we do get 30 days)...so around 77F.  Summers are pretty dry, not alot of rain.  

[specialmom]

Amanda, when I started this post, the main reason was that no one was posting her at all.  The forum had been dead for a couple of months with no action.  I must of 'brought it back to life".  Anyway, thanks for posting here.  

I read in our paper yesterday that climate specialists say that we can contribute all of this to global warming and they fear for certain areas.  Especially Island areas and places in India (that have had severe flood issues in the past) and parts of China.  They say they might be uninhabital in the near future.  Our paper said to prepare for more drastic weather events.  Ugh.   Hope spring and sprung in your area anyway----  which is the plus side to it all I guess.  Nice weather earlier.  peace

[specialmom]

Anyhoo---------  whew, colder today.  It is nice to have more seasonable weather.  

[adgal]

Good job in bringing it back to life my friend!  

Ironically, our day today was super warm.  Ryder and I started our backyard winter cleanup...getting rid of the dead stuff so my perenials can fight their way back.  We raked and dug in the flower beds...so much fun.  And only light jackets on!  Now I'm exhausted, and so is he!  Predicting a sleep through the night for him.  I am saving the chicken I defrosted for tomorrow night..too tired.  Tonight it's pizza..lol.

[specialmom]

It was pizza for us as well!  Sadly, my little guy was playing outside with a neighbor and he was running down a driveway that is a steep hill and the little girl he was playing with was riding a big wheel and she got right behind him and plowed into the back of his legs and he flew into the street.  Ugh.  His hands, arm, shoulder, leg and side of his face/ear on one side have major road burn.  It could have been a lot worse but still . . .  the other mom and I were at the top of the drive and said as they took off that this might not be a good idea and then Ka Pow.  He's on his face in the street screaming.  You never saw two middle age ladies move faster to scoop him up. And I was holding his jacket which would have helped protect him had it been on.  

Okay, enough about me.  Your day sounds glorious.  It is really wonderful that you are showing Ryder nature and tending to your yard with him.  I love that.  I'm glad you had a wonderful day to do that.  

I just hope, and this will sound all mushy, but I hope that our Earth stays as beautiful as it is now.  Even with all the bad things, it is really beautiful and shouldn't be taken for granted.  

So, enjoy the good night sleep your baby boy will have tonight (so you will too) and we'll see what tomorrow brings!

[specialmom]

I woke up today to it being VERY chilly!  We, of course, go to church every Sunday and then have an Easter hunt. Why is it on the days that it would be great to have a really extra warm day----  it ends up being chilly??

Anyway, it will be great fun regardless to share the day with nice family and friends.  I'd be sad if I didn't have that!  Being lonely would be terrible.  I always think of those that don't have much in the way of relationships in their life on days like this and say a prayer for them.

So, hopefully you and Ryder will have a fun day in some more 'nice' weather.  

[sandstone27]

Hi all (well you two :),

I joined for the day - I find anything related to the climate, the heavens, the earth, etc. interesting so I just wanted to add my 2 cents.

I'm sorry you were flying solo for so long special Mom - If I would have noticed, I would have commented earlier.  With regard to the question at hand - I have to say that we are having a remarkably UNremarkable winter here down South.   Temps are pretty much on average.  We did get quite a bit of rain several weeks ago, off and on, which is always good.  Our lawn is beautiful right now.  

I would thank my lucky stars that you've had such moderate weather this  year - was it just 2 years ago that the NE kept getting smacked over and over again with those Nor'easters?   Or am I skipping a year?    Anywho, enjoy the sun - it's a great Vitamin D boost!

On a not so light note, I do feel bad for the people in India during Monsoon season - I believe it starts in June and lasts til September.  I hate seeing all of those news videos - it makes me feel selfish for not appreciating everything I do have - and what I don't have to go through year in and year out.   I give so much credit to the Red Cross and Doctors without Borders who give so much of their time to help these people.  But that's Mother Nature, and it's been going on for centuries.  

Have a peaceful Palm Sunday!

Sandy ♦

[sandstone27]

And if you enjoy star (and planet) gazing, after sunset  Venus will be directly below The Pleiades or ""the seven sisters", with Jupiter well below Venus.  Just look West. It should be a beautiful sight.

[specialmom]

I like you more and more each time I run across paths with you!  I will definately look West tonight!  Thank you for the tip.

Mostly, I've enjoyed the beautiful weather.  There is a little bit of concern about things like our fruit trees here which need a long, hard freeze to give fruit as well as bugs that die off during winter not doing so this year and last, some concern about everything blooming out 6 weeks early and the bees not being as active yet to pollinate.  ?????  Don't know if that will really be a problem or not but you are right, I've enjoyed the nice weather.  

I've missed the snow days with my kids though! :>)  Living down South, you may not have as much of that . . .  that fun feeling of watching the weather turn bad and waiting for the news that school is canceled.  It makes me feel like I'm 8 years old every time it happens . . . that feeling of elation that you are unexpectedly free for the day!  

So your weather was pretty average for your area.  Do you have mild temps or is it hot where you live?  Do you garden?  

Well, I will look to the West tonight and appreciate the tip to do so dear!

[April2]

Are you talking to yourself, Specialmom? Lol

Good topic! I think everyone is having strange or different weather. We had an extremely mild, warm winter, which is not good because that means we're entering into drought conditions unless we get some more moisture.
We did get a fee snowstorms but they were  over quickly snd the snow melted fast.
We've had record hight temperatures this winter and spring.
Spring can be up and down here but we've had up to 80 degrees and shorts weather and then dropping down to the 30's and 40's for a couple of days, then back up to the 60's and creeping back up. I hate it when that happens because things are starting to bloom and then a frost hits. Sometimes it's enough to kill the blossoms before they had a chance to fully bloom.  Even the flowers and trees are confused by this weather!

[adgal]

The weirdness continues here as well.  We are having spring like weather, and typically we still get snow this time of year.  But honestly, we have had very little this winter.  In Regina and Winnipeg it is almost shorts weather..unheard of this time of year.  My perinials are starting to show which again usually wouldn't happen until late May.  We all keep waiting for the shoe to drop and get hit with a huge snowstorm, but so far it's staying away.  Hmmm....

[specialmom]

Ha, yes.  I will talk to myself if I have to.  LOL.  

So mild in your neck of the woods as well.  Hm.  It does make you wonder what kinds of repercussions there will be such as a drought as you mentioned.  

I know, our trees are confused as well.  I was talking to a neighbor, all of our trees have bloomed/leafed out already, so what if we get a spell of extremely cold weather??  Our trees are going to go into shock!  Ha, really----  no one knows what the plants will think.  
Today was simply beautiful though---  I do know that.  It was in the 60's and clear, blue skies.  Now tomorrow, it rains again and temps drop.  Lows all the way to the 30's.   Ugh.  Up/down.  

Anyway, thanks for posting and helping me have someone to talk to along with Amanda and Sandy!

[specialmom]

Amanda, I'll keep my fingers crossed that no snowstorms find you!!!  Peace friend

[adgal]

Thanks Kay.  However, it seems I spoke to soon.  A storm has moved in and we are supposed to get walloped tonight.  25 cm being called for.  And we are supposed to make a 7 hour drive from Calgary to Regina tomorrow to spend Easter weekend with my husbands family.  Sigh, I knew it was too good to be true.  Spring teased us for a while, and then Old Man Winter had to show his ugly face.  Oh well, April is typically a weird weather month for us, and May is close!!

[specialmom]

Hi guys,  back from a little VA CA with the family.  All of my perenials are up, my trees have leafed out, it looks like June.  We were in Chicago and they had the same thing going on.  It WAS colder there than I expected (thankfully having packed coats for us all)---  but everything had bloomed.  It was pretty-----  tulips, hacienth, etc. all over.  Wasn't really expecting that in Chi town so early in April!

[specialmom]

It is the most beautiful Easter day today.  I mean--------- couldn't be any more gorgous!!   It feels like a blessing in a way!

[specialmom]

Oh, and I wanted to add-------- sunshine and high 60's today, freezing with a bit of sleet last night.  

Up and down.  Off for a gathering with the family-------  am thankful for them and this beautiful day!

[specialmom]

My kids have gone off to school today with coats on.  Chilly.  But will be warm later today.  Then frost later in the week.  

Not sure why I like sharing this information--------  but I do.  :>))

[specialmom]

Update . .  . now we are seasonal.  Minus the rain so far.  But it has been just gorgeous.  And temps are on the high side but not that hot hot hot we were having.  

Awesome weather for working in the garden.

[adgal]

Same thing here.  The weather today and yesterday has just been gorgeous!  It was 15 today (59 F) and so sunny.  We spent the entire day running around the zoo with some good friends.  Tonnes of fresh air and excercise...I have one tuckered out little boy on my hands..lol.  Love it when it's like this!

[specialmom]

Did you hear about the Nor Eastener (don't know if I'm writing that correctly) they had on the East coast of the states?  Mid to late April and they've had a snow storm.  

and guess what . . .. remember that 80 degree weather we had?  Well, it's been freezing here.  We had a fire two nights ago in our fireplace!!  

Sad though as my hydrangeas' leaves are brown and curled.  (sniff sniff).

Weirdness goes on and on.  

[adgal]

We get Noreasterner's, but of course on our East Coast, not where I live..heck we are landlocked and don't even have a decent lake!!  Sigh.

I think you sent your 80 degree weather our way.  We have had above average for seasonal highs the last few days.  Summer weather!  I actually got a bit of color while working in the yard on sunday.  

Bizarre Kay, we traded!!! lol.  

[adgal]

Oh, and snow storms in mid to late April are normal around here, so that doesn't even shock me...lol.  We have been known to get them into June.  Hopefully we are done this year though.

I'm sorry about your hydrangeas.  My lilies are starting to come up..I hope we dont' get a freeze to kill them off.  I am dying for some blooms!

[specialmom]

It is strange.  It's gotten cool here and I think it was warmer in winter than it is now.  Many of our games (kids play baseball, one also plays soccer and the other flag football) have been rained out.  

Last weekend I wore my heavy coat to a soccer game and still froze and we've had a fire in the fireplace the last two weekends.  Um, three weeks ago it was almost 90!  

Anyway, it makes me wonder what we are in for this summer!

[adgal]

The last two weeks were shorts and t-shirt weather. Woke up this morning to snow..yuck!  Not really unusual this time of year though, but annoying none the less.  My lilies were starting to bloom and my bleeding heart had actually been making progress..sigh, starting over I guess.

[sandstone27]

sandstone27 reporting from South Texas.....current temp is a warm 82 degrees - about average for this time of year...and it's only going to get hotter.

we had some wild and woolly storms roll through last night - thunder, lightning, high winds and and rain - it was awesome!

last night was also the night of the super moon - the largest moon of 2012 - combined with meteor showers from the Eta Aquarid remnants.  The bright moon obscured alot of the showers - I did catch a few though - if you look up long enough, you'll see them.

For those of you who don't like the crazy weather that's been happening in your neck of the woods - the culprit - La Nina, has officially ended her run that began in 2010.  

What's next?  The official forecast from the CPC is  to expect ENSO-Neutral (El Nino) conditions to begin in June and persist through July, August, and September.  Translation:  temperatures are average and normal during an ENSO Neutral period.  

This is just a forecast, so who knows? If El Nino decides to make an early appearance, we could be in for all kinds of interesting weather.  

I kinda hope he shows up.  

S.♦

[specialmom]

Ha, thanks for the updates!  Sandy, you and I had the same temperature today only ours is absolutely above average as I live in the upper midwest.  Both my boys had games today----  one had soccer and the other flag football.  They were sweaty beasts!   But yesterday, we had high seventies and beautiful sunshine for my son's first communion and big family party.  Thank the Lord, as I could send people outside rather than all of us indoors.  LOL  

Oh please please let El Nino show up.  Normal temps sound pretty good to me.  I do like how the super hot warms the pool up at the place we swim in summer though but will put up with some cold water in order to not be burning up all summer.  My fear is that it would get to be a hundred here if it is already 80.  

By the way, I lived many years in Texas----  I understand that 80 probably is a nice day for you.  LOL  It's a HOT state.

I'm going to check out the moon tonight---  is it still a super moon??

And Amanda, I am so sorry about your snow.  We had that too, well.  Not snow but freezing temps.  Just last weekend, we had a fire in the fireplace.  some of my plants took a beating but I see growth coming back.  I don't know if I cut the brown off of my hydrangeas or not. Need to google that.  And my bleeding hearts are just about done blooming.  We are on to peonies and foxglove.  Oh, and some of my roses are starting to bloom.  Love spring.  

[sandstone27]

You're welcome - but I think you misunderstood my post - it would be the absence of El Nino that would bring about normal/average temperatures, not it's presence.  

I haven't lived in Texas for that many years - I grew up elsewhere, but you don't have to live here for more than one season to figure out that it is indeed a hot state :).  

I never let weather of any kind dictate my mood.  The way I see it, I'm healthy and happy, with great friends and a wonderful family.  I try to make the most out of each day, no matter what Mother Nature brings.  I just roll with it, knowing that I am very lucky - because for every day I am on this Earth, so many others have not made it through the day.  

Congratulations on your son's first communion - it is a very special time - I still remember mine clearly, even though it was 20 years ago.  

The moon will still appear to be full tonight - whether it is as big and bright as last evening - I guess you'll just have to look to the Heavens and see for yourself :)

Sandy ♦

[specialmom]

Oh, we don't want el nino. Got it.  I just want a nice summer for crying out loud!

Our temps are back down again----  in the 60's.  It seems that to have a normal day for this time of year in which it is 70 degrees isn't gonna happen.

Thanks for the congrats on the first communion-----  it was such a wonderful day for our family.

[sandstone27]

It's still pretty early in the day, temps in the 60's in the midwest in May sounds like a good day to me.  It's 68 and sunny right now and I'm ecstatic - the high is supposed to be 83.  I get that you want to have great summer  weather - who doesn't?   Since you don't really have a say in the matter, (unless you know some people pretty high up :), don't stress about it.  Just my two cents.  

Relax and enjoy your boys - you'll never get this summer back, so make the most of it.  And yes, I tend to wax prophetic at times, even about the weather, but that's just how I am.  

Sandy ♦
South Texas Weather Girl

[specialmom]

Oh, I don't really stress about it.  My main hope is that it doesn't rain all summer though.  We had one of those a few years back and it cuts into our fun activities----  mainly swimming!  We are a big swimming family.  And my boys are really active and will get out and do 'some' things in the rain but it is much better if it is a clear day---  no matter the temp.  My boys do like to jump  on our trampoline in the rain though????  Don't ask me why.  Sadly, my younger son has had every baseball game as a rain out this season so far.  Poor guy.  His brother has played three games but also has had rain outs.  This is where I must say mother nature is not cooperating.  Beautiful on all days unless there is a scheduled sporting event for my kids!  Last Sunday, my younger son had a soccer game and my older son had flag football (yep, we are crazy and my kids do multiple sports in the Spring)---  it was 87 degrees!  They were so hot as I think they aren't used to it yet.  But at least they played!!  Too many rain outs this season.

If you like sports and dirty little boys, you'lll appreciate this.  We've had so much rain that our soccer coach didn't want to cancel practice again---  so we still had it after a big rain storm had moved through.  The field was so muddy and there were puddles.  Picture these little boys running and watery mud kicking up off their heels as they head down the field.  It flew up so high it was hitting the bottom of their shirts and backs.  My son took a turn as goalie and dove to stop a ball and went right into the mud.  When he got up, the whole side of his head was muddy.  These boys were covered by the end of practice and giggling the whole time!  I could hardly put my son in the car to come home!!  Of course, I'm used to field dirt now----  so I just roll with it.  But I've got his clothes still soaking to get the mud out.  Very big fun for a bunch of 7 year olds!!

And sandstone, I appreciate how you are and ALL of your South Texas weather reports!