Spring arrived later and is lasting longer in Southern California this year due to wet and cool weather. The rest of the nation has experienced a drastically different weather pattern.
Our late spring
Even before Punxutawaney Phil came out of his groundhog home on Feb. 2, there were signs across the country that spring was coming soon. Phil might want to get another job because he predicted another six weeks of winter — a prediction that was obviously wrong. And, sure enough, by the time of spring equinox, March 20, most of the country was in full-blown spring. Curiously, Southern California wasn’t. Here’s a look at how early spring hit in much of the continental United States, and some history, and what it all means.
Phenology is the study of key seasonal changes in plants and animals from year to year — such as flowering, emergence of insects and migration of birds — especially their timing and relationship with weather and climate.
Fourteen states have had record warm temperatures from January through April.
2017 versus 2012
The onset of spring in the Midwest was earlier than usual this year but not as early as in 2012. March 2012 broke numerous records for warm temperatures and early flowering in the U.S., but 2017 could be even warmer with earlier flowering.
This map shows the Spring Leaf Index in 2017 compared with 2012. Southern California is nearly a month behind the index average.
WHY IT MATTERS
A few wet days ruining your weekend plans to go to the beach might seem minor, but there are more important factors scientists monitor the seasons for.
Health impacts: Early-season disease carriers such as ticks and mosquitoes, and an earlier, longer and more vigorous pollen season.
Agriculture: A longer growing season can result in increased yields for some crops, risky because of the higher likelihood of plant damage caused by late frosts or summer drought.
Pollination: Bees, birds and butterflies rely on the seasonal change to trigger migration. If their migrations change the crops can have smaller yeilds and the species can be depleted.
Increased fire hazard: The hills are green and lush now, but will have a larger than normal underbrush in the drier summer months. Forests already have a large amount of dead trees after five years of drought.
Become a springcaster
Whether you’re an amateur or professional naturalist you can participate in a national, online program called Nature’s Notebook. The program observes plants and animals and generates long-term phenology data. A common need is for people to monitor lilacs.
How to sign up
1. Identify one or more common lilac plants on your property to monitor.
2. Join Nature’s Notebook online or with the app. usanpn.org/natures_notebook
3. Sign up to receive the common lilac campaign messaging. You will receive messages approximately every 4-6 weeks during the growing season, providing early results, encouragement, observation tips, interesting links and campaign-specific opportunities.
4. Observe your plant(s). Report what you see (yes/no/not sure) on your plant periodically following the instructions for common lilacs. People are encouraged people to observe plant(s) 2-4 times a week, especially in the spring, but any observations are welcome.
5. Report observations. Periodically log into the Nature’s Notebook account or enter observations directly by Android or iPhone smartphone and tablet apps.
An example of a data calendar from Nature’s Notebook:
Sources: USA National Phenology Network, U.S. Geological Survey, NOAA