Spring Springing Earlier In Many U.S. Cities

news image
Special Stories
5 Mar 2020 3:56 PM
Have you noticed those spring flowers popping up earlier and earlier over your lifetime? Or perhaps the tree outside your home budding and leafing earlier some years? According to an analysis conducted by Climate Central, spring has arrived earlier (leaf out) in 76% of the cities analyzed. Climate Central (CC) analyzed the "leaf out data" in 239 cities across the Lower 48 and found that 181 of those cities have greened up earlier than about 40 years ago. CC attributes this earlier leaf out and green up to our warming climate. Some cities that have had the most dramatic changes are in Flagstaff, Arizona Washington, D.C. and Bluefield, West Virginia. The data is sourced from the National Phenology Network (NPN). The NPN collects data from people across the country that submit reports of when flowers bloom, or trees "leaf out" at their location. The data has been analyzed since 1981 and shows more cities are greening up earlier than about a generation ago. Some cities are not seeing an earlier start to spring. In fact Spokane, Washington and Elmira, New York have seen a bloom a few days to a week later than a few decades ago. While some may welcome the earlier spring with open arms, there are some consequences. According to CC, earlier springs create a mismatching in availability of food and other resources with important natural events such as migration, hibernation, and reproduction. Allergy seasons are longer and there may be more persistent pests such as mosquitoes. Earlier springs can also make plants more vulnerable to damage from frosts that are still possible this time of the year. For the full report from Climate Central, click/tap on this sentence. All images courtesy Climate Central
All Weather News
More
Stormy Days Ahead for the Northeast and Mid-Alantic

Stormy Days Ahead for the Northeast and Mid-Alantic

The Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions will k

9 May 2025 3:15 AM
Severe Thunderstorm Threat from Texas to Florida

Severe Thunderstorm Threat from Texas to Florida

A splitting storm system will bring the threa

9 May 2025 3:05 AM
Late Week Heat Back in the West

Late Week Heat Back in the West

WEST - Hazardous heat is back in the forecast

9 May 2025 3:05 AM
Southeast Soaker This Weekend

Southeast Soaker This Weekend

A large trough of low pressure stalls over th

8 May 2025 1:40 AM
Major Spring Storm Continues With Rain & Snow For the Rockies

Major Spring Storm Continues With Rain & Snow For the Rockies

Looking at the rain from a glass half full le

7 May 2025 12:40 PM
Flooding Threat Takes Aim at the Gulf Coast

Flooding Threat Takes Aim at the Gulf Coast

The forecast remains wet in the southern plai

7 May 2025 2:00 AM
Rainy Forecast Could Disrupt Kentucky Derby

Rainy Forecast Could Disrupt Kentucky Derby

Louisville is gearing up for the 151st Kentuc

3 May 2025 4:30 PM