Is Your Spring Fever Premature?

Above photo: The snowdrops are one of the first signs of spring, popping up as soon as the snow melts. They popped up Monday.

CATSKILL REGION – I wouldn't be surprised if the woodchucks weren't out Monday looking for mates, just six weeks to the day after predicting six more weeks of winter. March they say "comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb". Let's hope it isn't just the opposite this year, although that would not be a surprise. March weather can be just about anything, from major snowstorms to sunny warmth.

March is coming in like a lamb, let's hope it doesn't go out like a lion. If you ask an avid trout fisherman what was once the traditional opening day on April 1, they will tell you they have fished in freezing temperatures, amidst snowstorms and sometimes, they catch a break and it is just ideal, warm and sunny.

The clocks have sprung ahead for Daylight Saving, so Spring must be just around the corner. It actually arrives at 10:46 a.m. on March 20, the Vernal Equinox, when day and night are almost equal. The earth is tipping toward the sun and the days are getting longer. It's also Celebrate World Frog Day. There is a  "spring awakening" and the frogs and toads go on the move, across local highways seeking a vernal pool, according to the state Department of Environmental Conservation. They educate the public how to help the migration. Information is available on their website.

So, let's get back to the woodchucks. The great predictors of the arrival of spring, or so they believe in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. Almost to the day, spring arrived, with 60-degree temperatures predicted for Monday and Tuesday, but will it last?

The weather was supposed to be milder and rainy throughout the week, then go back to more seasonal temperatures over the weekend. Friday, today, had some snow in the forecast. Those who march in the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade in Halcottsville will tell you, you will find almost any kind of weather. The parade steps off this Sunday at noon. Better weather brings a nice crowd of onlookers and more participants - fingers crossed. It will not be really cold, but the day may start out rainy. Anyone may enter the parade and the Halcottsville Fire Department serves up chili after the parade.

Seasonal weather is in the 40's and after the winter we've had here in the Catskills region, 40-degree temperatures are very welcome.

Just last weekend, they held the Mile Hill Snowmobile Drag Races, the first time they had ideal snow for the races. Usually they are trucking in snow and have just enough to get the races in.

This winter was filled with temperatures well below normal and many are happy to get out of the deep freeze. The snow came and never melted.

As I got ready to walk the dog Monday morning, with temperatures no lower than 30-degrees overnight, I left my puffy snow pants, heavy jacket and hoodie behind. We found ourselves walking on bare ground without fighting deep snow. It was wonderful!

On Tuesday, Eileen King was working in her garden, not wanting to waste the beautiful weather and Bill Sharick was working to put out more taps to collect sap to make maple syrup. Some producers have already been boiling the first good run.

As soon as the snow melted, the "Snow Drops", officially known as Galantus,  were poking through and their relatives, the daffodils,  will be next. Even the rhubarb patch was awakened, and that is what people most like about spring - the renewal.

Maple producers are hoping the warm spell, particularly overnight, returns to more seasonal temperatures. It takes warm, sunny days for the sap to run and cold, freezing nights to keep it going. Mother Nature is always the controller of a good or bad maple syrup season.

Maple producers will be celebrating Maple Weekends on March 21-22 and again March 28-29. Shaver Hill in Harpersfield will be hosting  pancake fundraisers for the Gilboa Class of 2029 on March 21, Stamford Class of 2027 on March 22, South Kortright Varsity Club on March 28 and Gilboa/Roxbury Baseball team on March 29. Pancakes are served from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with the proceeds to benefit those school groups. Shaver Hill Maple has free tours and lots of samples and horse-drawn wagon rides, weather permitting.

No matter what happens after this week, people have come down with Spring Fever and it will be a big groaner to have to don heavy boots, puffy pants and puffy jackets again, but it's likely Let's hope winter is up with the six more weeks since Groundhog Day and our temperatures stay warmer and we are without a major spring snowstorm. 

According to the Farmer's Almanac, spring temperatures will be slightly warmer than normal and precipitation will be less than normal. We'll just have to wait and see.

The only thing we can count on is the days really are getting longer....