On Monday, the kids in my cul-de-sac were out on the pavement in droves – shooting hoops, playing games with chalk and riding their scooters and bicycles with a giddiness usually reserved for April or May.
It is the winter that never was. I made that declaration on Twitter several weeks ago.
Several people were quick to point out that winter wasn’t over yet and I might have to eat my words. So far no consumption!
What is going on? Meteorologists point to a weather phenomenon called arctic oscillation which is trapping frigid air in the polar region and keeping it from moving south.
As a result we have seen daffodils, azaleas and tulip trees in bloom and trees leafing out long ahead of schedule.
As a native North Carolinian I’ve never experienced anything like this. We’ve never seen or heard so many birds this early. It’s like they never left last fall. Maybe the birds knew then what Punxsutawney Phil would predict on Groundhog Day – an early spring. I contend that spring may already be here!
I’d love to get your thoughts and see your pictures from our warm winter. bleslie@wral.com is my email address.
Related Topics
• Credits
Copyright 2024 by Capitol Broadcasting Company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
