Official Notice: Winter is Returning

[NJCher]

I'm re-posting from Pigwidgeon's post in Environment/Energy:

WINTER TO COME "WITH A VENGEANCE"
Prolonged Period of Cold and Stormy Weather Appears on the Way

(State College, PA - January 8, 2007) - The unseasonably warm winter experienced by much of the country is likely to "turn on a dime," in the words of AccuWeather.com Chief Long-Range Forecaster Joe Bastardi.

Bastardi said that the weather pattern from mid-January through mid-February has a chance to mimic the winters of 1965-66 and 1957-58, each of which ended cold and stormy after a warm start. A worst-case scenario would be if this winter plays out as did the winter of 1977-1978.

Similar to this year, 1977-1978 was a winter with a waning El Nino. After a tepid start, the second half of the winter was noted for its cold and remarkable storminess, including back-to-back-to-back blizzards in the Northeast.

"Those who think that winter 2006-2007 is going to remain mild are in for a shock," said Bastardi. "Winter is likely to come with a vengeance. A week from now, we'll start seeing truly cold air across much of the country, and we expect this change to last."

Added Bastardi, "Whether we end up with seasonably cold weather, or something far worse, remains to be seen. There are indications that this winter could parallel severe winters of the past. Even should we not see an extremely cold and snowy conclusion to winter, you can be sure that by the end of the month, when those in the Northeast are shoveling out their driveways and sidewalks, the mild weather we're experiencing now will be a distant memory."

Where Will Winter Go From Here?
The first signs of change will be noticed this week. A passing shot of cold air will knock temperatures down to typical January levels in the northeastern part of the country for a few days. Temperatures will return to unseasonably warm levels by the latter part of week and last into early next week. The seeds for the more-lasting change, however, will be planted in the western part of the country.

Arctic air from western Canada will pour southward into the Pacific Northwest, northern Rockies, and northern Plains this week, and this will mark the beginning of a true winter weather pattern that will encompass much of the nation over the next couple of weeks. The core of the coldest air by the latter part of the week will be centered in the Rockies and northern Plains, and the arrival of the cold air will mean another round of accumulating snow for Denver later this week.

The cold air will slowly push southward and eastward from this weekend into early next week and will likely arrive in the eastern part of the country by the middle of next week. Much of the nation will then have a cold weather pattern for the second half of the month.

Long-range forecasting expert Bastardi points out that it's too early to say with certainty that the change in the weather pattern will be long-lasting or produce heavy amounts of snow. However, he believes that if the weather pattern reaches its full potential, the dramatic change from warmth to cold could result in "one of the top-five coldest 30-day stretches in the past half century."

To speak with a meteorologist about this story, call the AccuWeather.com 24/7 media line, [phone].

About AccuWeather.com
AccuWeather, The World's Weather Authority®, presents accurate, localized, branded forecasts and severe weather bulletins to over 106 million Americans each day via the Internet, mobile devices and IPTV, through the airwaves, and in print. The 113 meteorologists at AccuWeather deliver a portfolio of customized products and services to media, business, government, and institutions, and inform millions of visitors worldwide through the free AccuWeather.com website. AccuWeather also provides content onto more than 20,000 third-party Internet sites, including CNN Interactive, ABC's owned and operated stations, The Washington Post and The New York Times. Visit www.accuweather.com for more information.

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I have tulips at 3", daffs at the same. I think I'll bury them in leaf mulch or straw to protect them. Should be OK.



Cher

[NMDemDist2]

1. yeah, but all the department stores will have moved on to Spring Fashions

:rofl:

nothing to do with gardening, but that was the first thing that popped to mind, hope you already have a good winter coat

:hi:

[TygrBright]

2. Tulips & daffs will be fine...

...if all you've got up is leafage. Covering may prevent the leafage from looking all burnt and tattered when spring eventually does arrive, but as long as the budsies haven't popped up yet, they'll be fine.

I'm worried about the bulbs I planted in various containers. They'd have been fine if we had a "normal" Santa Fe winter with temps mostly in the 30s-50s daytime and 20s-30s at night, but we've had some real cold snaps that have frozen the earth in those containers pretty hard.

Cross fingers!

worriedly,
Bright

[jhain]

3. So far it has been MY kind of Winter

Here in Cape May County I searched the garden yesterday and found lettuces coming back and parsley that had re-seeded itself.

Pulled them all up to keep in my little greenhouse. Trying to prepare for the SHOCK of REAL Winter this week.



Plenty of daffs ready to pop- need to find something to cover them with....



And crocuses BLOOMING!! I know I will lose these lovelies. But, more will follow:

[NJCher]

4. oh wow, jhain!!

That is amazing! Look how far along they are, too! Parsley grows so slow, so I am really amazed.

I'm so envious! Now I so long for spring, for indeed, the cold snap that was predicted above has happened.

I was so starved for plants I went out and bought numerous hyacinth. The fragrance is awesome! It has turned my whole house into a "scented garden." Also bought tulips. Here are some pics:









Cher

edited to add: you were right, tygr, I didn't get around to putting any leaves around them and they seem fine.